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China ships harass Philippines Navy vessel in West Philippine Sea

Michael Punongbayan - The Philippine Star
China ships harass Philippines Navy vessel in West Philippine Sea
In this screen grab handout photo taken on May 5 and re- ceived from the Armed Forces’ Public Affairs Office yes- terday, Chinese frigate BN 554n tails the Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto during a maritime patrol near Panatag or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The Phil- ippines criticized yesterday a high-risk maneuver by a Chi- nese vessel in a rare incident involving warships from the two navies.
AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese warships and a coast guard vessel sailed dangerously close to the Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto in what could be Beijing’s latest provocative act in waters where Philippine and US forces had just capped joint military exercises.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the Emilio Jacinto was on patrol near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday – in support of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – when the Chinese vessels closed in and made dangerous and unsafe maneuvers. The AFP condemned the Chinese action, saying it endangered lives at sea.

The Chinese naval vessels involved were Jiangkai II-class frigates with bow numbers 554 and 573, and a China Coast Guard ship with bow number 5403.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the latest incident occurred approximately 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Panatag Shoal.

One of the Chinese frigates was documented closely tailing the Emilio Jacinto while the other was was dangerously crossing the bow of the Philippine ship in a high-risk maneuver that could have potentially ended up in a collision.

Trinidad said the CCG vessel also attempted to obstruct the Emilio Jacinto’s navigational path.

The AFP said such reckless actions were a violation of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea or COLREG.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines expresses its serious concern over these irresponsible actions by Chinese maritime forces. Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstanding that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability.”

The AFP meanwhile commended the “professionalism, discipline and restraint” shown by the officers and crew of Emilio Jacinto.

Trinidad said the AFP “remains steadfast in defending the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines in its vast maritime domain, including its territorial seas in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international and domestic law and in pursuit of the rules-based order in the maritime domain.”

On Wednesday, Filipino and US military personnel capped their almost two weeks of joint training under the Balikatan exercises, with a “fun shoot” at Camp Aguinaldo. The Balikatan, which involved more than 14,000 Filipino and US soldiers, officially ends today.

“The event brought together participants from both nations in a friendly marksmanship competition designed not just to sharpen skills, but also to strengthen interpersonal bonds outside of formal training,” Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, chief of the Combined Joint Information Bureau of this year’s exercises, said.

“The shoot, held in a relaxed but spirited environment, was part of the continuing effort to promote solidarity and interoperability between the two allied forces,” Salgado added.

On Monday, Australian forces joined one of the Balikatan events called Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations near Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The Japan Self Defense Force also took part in a Multilateral Maritime Event or joint sail. The drills included Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Maritime Strike and Counter Landing Live Fire Exercises.

Leadership seminar

Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard (USCG) conducted its first-ever Leadership and Management School (LAMS) course in Southeast Asia, with 43 members of the PCG as inaugural participants.

Originally developed at the USCG Academy, the LAMS course was conducted at the PCG’s Fleet Training Center of Excellence in Balagtas, Bulacan from April 21 to May 2.

“LAMS has breathed new life into how we grow leaders at the PCG’s Fleet Education, Training, and Doctrine Development Institute. The impact is real; it’s building confidence, self-awareness, and a stronger sense of purpose among our people,” said PCG Commander Raquel Colarina.

“Marking a milestone in international cooperation, the PCG and the USCG are not only sharing best practices, but also forging a unified approach to developing resilient, adaptive leadership in complex maritime environments,” said USCG instructor Senior Chief Operations Specialist Anastazya Lencz. - Pia Lee-Brago, Evelyn Macairan

EMILIO JACINTO

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