BRP Miguel Malvar faces fire control radar from Chinese navy ship

A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship directed fire control radar at the missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Navy said on Friday.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy's spokesperson for the WPS, said BRP Miguel Malvar was conducting a sovereignty patrol off Sabina Shoal on March 7 when it was approached by the PLA Navy vessel with bow number 622. 

The Chinese navy ship later directed its fire control radar towards the PN vessel, prompting the latter to issue a radio challenge and direct the foreign vessel to cease "such unprofessional and dangerous behavior."

The PLA Navy vessel eventually stowed its fire control radar and backed down from that particular action. 

"This was an alarming and provocative action that created unnecessary risk and could have led to misinterpretation and misunderstanding at sea," Trinidad said. 

While the situation did not further escalate, Trinidad also said the incident showed "the need for all states to act with restraint and professionalism at sea."

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines reiterates that our ships and aircraft will continue to conduct lawful maritime patrols and sovereignty patrols within our EEZ, consistent with international law and the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction," Trinidad said. 

"We remain firm in protecting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS while advocating for the peaceful and rules-based resolution of disputes," he added.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment and will publish it as soon as it is available. –NB, GMA Integrated News