Chinese warships shadow PH Navy vessel on WPS patrol

Four Chinese warships confronted a Philippine Navy vessel en route to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) on Saturday, in a rare maritime standoff witnessed and documented by members of the media.

According to a report by Jun Veneracion on "24 Oras Weekend," the Philippine Navy’s BRP Diego Silang was on maritime patrol when it was met by four Chinese warships, escalating from just one vessel earlier in the morning.

During the encounter, Chinese and Philippine forces exchanged radio challenges, with a Chinese warship warning the Philippine vessel to leave the area immediately.

Despite being outnumbered, the BRP Diego Silang pressed on with its mission.

In a rare show of capability, the Philippine warship launched its onboard Agusta 109 helicopter while sailing at 18 knots, as part of its patrol operation near the disputed shoal.

China accused the helicopter of entering what it called its airspace without authorization, claiming it posed a threat to its security. The Philippine Navy responded by asserting it was conducting a lawful operation and called on Chinese vessels to keep clear in accordance with international collision regulations.

Chinese Navy Warship 554 closely monitored every movement of the BRP Diego Silang for several hours as it approached as near as 20 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc.

Capt. John Percie Alcos, commanding officer of the BRP Diego Silang, said the Philippine military would continue to assert the country’s maritime rights and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc.

A Philippine Navy helicopter later flew over the shoal at an altitude of 300 feet and observed that a previously reported structure in the area had already been removed, according to Navy pilot Windel Cayago.

During the operation, a Chinese aircraft also flew overhead, reportedly buzzing above the Philippine Navy helicopter at around 17,000 feet.

The mission concluded without any untoward incident.

The patrol came a day after the Agusta 109 helicopter was tested during the final day of a maritime cooperative activity involving the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and the United States Coast Guard.

It also coincided with the conclusion of Salaknib 2026, a nearly three-month joint military exercise involving more than 7,000 troops from the Philippines, United States, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.—MCG, GMA News