PH, US 'concerned' with China's plan to arrest SCS 'trespassers' - Brawner

SINGAPORE - Both the Philippines and the United States have expressed concern over the plan of China to arrest foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea, Armed Forces chief Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Friday. 

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the 2024 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Brawner said he cannot disclose the full details of his discussions with the US official.

''Both our countries are concerned about it,'' Brawner said referring to China's new rule on arresting ''trespassers.'' 

He added that ''both our countries expressed our commitment to the alliance and we believe that the alliance, the partnership is becoming even stronger.'' 

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. earlier said China's plan to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea is an escalation of the tension in the region.

The AFP chief, meanwhile, said the Philippine government is monitoring the deployment of bigger ships in the West Philippine Sea. To recall, China Coast Guard 5901 known as "The Monster," the largest coast guard ship in the world, conducted a “brief intrusive patrol” near Scarborough Shoal. 

Scarborough Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, is located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

''It gives us concern because of course we believe in the freedom of navigation and overflight in the region and so some of these vessels hinder that freedom of navigation that we should enjoy in the region,'' Brawner said. 

GMA News Online sought the reaction of the Chinese Embassy and will post it as soon as available.—LDF, GMA Integrated News