China Coast Guard performs dangerous maneuver vs. PH vessel in WPS anew

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday said that the China Coast Guard performed a dangerous maneuver against a Philippine vessel on a rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal.

The AFP released photos and videos of the incident which took place at around 6 a.m.

After an hour, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that one of its vessels, which was part of the mission, was encircled by Chinese vessels.

"The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel, MRRV 4409, has been impeded and encircled by one (1) China Coast Guard vessel with bow number 21551, along with two (2) China Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMV) bearing bow numbers 00036 and 00314," said PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela.

"MRRV 4409 has been isolated from the resupply boat due to the irresponsible and provocative behavior of the Chinese maritime forces, who have shown a disregard for the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)," he emphasized. 

WATCH: Barko ng @coastguardph na escort ng resupply boat ng bansa na patungo sa Ayungin Shoal, hinarang at pinalibutan ng mga barko ng China Coast Guard at Chinese maritime militia ngayong Linggo ng umaga. | via @xtian_mano

(????: @coastguardph) pic.twitter.com/5knEpFf7LU

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 23, 2024

Carrying the supplies for the Filipino soldiers stationed in BRP Sierra Madre IN Ayungin Shoal is the Unaizah May 4 (UM4).

UM4 is the same vessel that was damaged in a water canon attack by the China Coast Guard earlier this month. 

The AFP said UM4 departed the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Friday, March 22, 2024.

It is escorted by two Philippine Navy ships, with two more from the Philippine Coast Guard, according to the AFP. 

"This particular mission was set up to ensure a full troop complement on board BRP Sierra Madre after one personnel needing serious medical attention was recently evacuated," the AFP said.

"Personnel are being rotated in to ensure that BRP Sierra Madre's mission posture remains uncompromised," it added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News