WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, October 1 ------ A Chinese missile vessel chased a Philippine vessel near the First Thomas Shoal or Bulig Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last week, which is considered the first time that such a ship chased a civilian vessel during its maritime patrols.
BRP Datu Romapenet – a civilian vessel under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – was on the way to the Hasa-Hasa Shoal (Half Moon Shoal) Friday, September 27 to provide aid and other food supplies to fishermen in the area. ABS-CBN News was aboard BRP Datu Romapenet when China’s Type 22 missile boat shadowed the Philippine vessel. A China Coast Guard ship was also nearby during the incident. Dr. Chester Cabalza, director and founder of International Development and Security Cooperation, described the latest Chinese maritime aggression as alarming and unexpected. “Nakakabahala itong insidente na ito lalong-lalo na missile ship ang nag-shadow sa ating BFAR ship. Hindi ito expected na nangyayari dahil alam natin na kapag grey ship, tulad ng missile ship na nakita natin, nagpapakita ng ngipin at lakas ang China,” said Cabalza in an interview. “First time tayong makakita, itong Houbei missile ship na ito. Hindi natin ito nakikita pangkaraniwan sa West Philippine Sea dahil ang madalas nilang pinapadala ay ang mga Coast Guard ship… Ibang klase ito dahil missile ship,” the security analyst said.
According to non-profit military association US Naval Institute, the Houbei-class guided-missile craft from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is noticeable by its blue camouflage paint scheme. The US Naval Institute added that it could carry up to 12 crew members and 8 anti-ship cruise missiles. Aside from shadowing the Philippines vessel, the missile ship pointed lasers at a BFAR plane three times when it was conducting maritime patrols alongside the civilian ship. Cabalza said China wanted to “build some fear” and intimidate Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea. “Isang provocation ito at ang pagle-laser nila sa eroplano natin, hindi lang nila ginagawa sa atin ito, kundi ginagawa rin ito sa malalaking bansa tulad ng Australia, US, at nakita natin na ganitong greyzone tactics nila ginagawa pa rin nila sa atin. Hindi bago ito na ginagawa,” he said. “We are not tolerating this kind of action coming from China… Kailangan ipaliwanag sa atin unang-una bakit nagpadala sila ng missile ship sa ating maritime features in the West Philippine Sea,” the security analyst added.
National Maritime Council spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said the presence of China’s missile ship in the area was “illegal.Lopez clarified that while this was the first time that it chased the country’s civilian vessel, it had been previously spotted in the West Philippine Sea. “Wala silang karapatang maghabol, wala silang karapatan na i-intimidate yung mga civilian vessel. Ang mga ginagawa nila doon ay ilegal, aside doon sa kanilang physical presence… Masasabi kong first time na naghabol… pero matagal nang nagpapakita,” the retired vice admiral said. “I doubt naman na gagamitin nila sa civilian vessel (yung missile). Pananakot lang yan, intimidation,” he added.
The official said they would wait for official reports on the matter as they come in and forward these to the foreign affairs department.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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