Brawner commends BRP Miguel Malvar crew in fire control radar incident with Chinese warship

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday praised how Philippine Navy sailors responded after a Chinese warship reportedly scanned the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6) with its fire control radar in the West Philippine Sea.

“Ang comment ko lang is that maganda ang naging reaction ng ating mga tropa because we countered their or we challenged that action by China,” Brawner said in an ambush interview.

(My only comment is that our troops reacted well because we countered or we challenged that action by China.)

He stressed the seriousness of the incident, comparing it to pointing a weapon at someone.

“Kasi kapag parang kuwan yan, parang tinutok mo yung baril mo sa isang tao by that action of China. And we called them out for that,” he said.

(When that happens, what the Chinese did is like pointing your gun at someone. And we called them out for that.)

According to Brawner, the Philippines’ assertive response prompted the Chinese vessel to cease its action.

“Noong nag-challenge tayo, tinigil naman nila ‘yung ginawa nila yun,” he said.

(When we challenged them, they stopped what they were doing.)

On March 20, the Philippine Navy said a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship directed its fire control radar at the BRP Miguel Malvar in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal.

Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Malvar was conducting a sovereignty patrol off Sabina Shoal on March 7 when it was approached by the PLA Navy vessel 622. 

The Chinese warship later directed its fire control radar towards the Philippine vessel, prompting the Filipino frigate to issue a radio challenge and direct the foreign vessel to cease "such unprofessional and dangerous behavior."

The PLA Navy vessel eventually secured its fire control radar and backed down from its provocative act. —RF, GMA Integrated News