A Philippine Navy vessel warned off a China Navy vessel for conducting “dangerous maneuvers” off Pag-asa Island within the West Philippine Sea, the navy mentioned Sunday.
In an announcement, Armed Forces public affairs chief Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Ileto mentioned that on Friday, October 13, the BRP Benguet (LS507) issued consecutive radio challenges to China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy Ship 621 (PLAN 621), which was shadowing the Philippine Navy vessel at an 80-yard distance.
PLAN 621 additionally tried to cross LS507’s bow with a closest level of method (CPA) of 350 yards at 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island, Ileto mentioned.
The Benguet had been on its solution to Rizal Reef Station on an everyday rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission.
Ileto mentioned the crew cited the Chinese vessel’s violation of the Collision Regulations (COLREG) in its radio challenges, and that PLAN 621 responded by citing its “ten-dash line” narrative.
The ten-dash line refers to a brand new map that China has issued that reveals its claims over practically the whole thing of the South China Sea, Taiwan, and a state in India.
“These [dangerous] maneuvers pose significant risks to maritime safety, collision prevention, and danger to human lives at sea. China must immediately halt these unsafe actions and conduct themselves in a professional manner by adhering to international law,” the assertion quoted Western Command (WesCom) chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos as saying.
AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. additionally mentioned that China’s maneuvers endanger each Philippine and Chinese personnel. “The AFP remains committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel during RoRe missions and asserts that it will continue to adhere to the rules-based international order,” he mentioned. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
