PH Navy ship averts collision with Chinese warship near Pag-asa

MANILA, March 27 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM) reported that the Philippine Navy’s BRP Benguet successfully averted a potential collision after a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) Type 054A missile frigate (Hull 532) executed a dangerous maneuver during a maritime operation near Pag-asa Island.

In a video released by the WESCOM on Thursday, the PLA-N warship was seen closing in and passing at a dangerously close distance from the Philippine vessel. “Such dangerous maneuvers are provocative and constitute a clear violation of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs),” the WESCOM said in a statement. “Despite this, the measured and decisive actions of LS-507 effectively prevented escalation while ensuring the safety of all personnel on board,” it added.

The WESCOM called on the PLA-N to adhere to established international rules and norms to prevent incidents at sea. It also reaffirmed its commitment to continue lawful maritime operations with professionalism and resolve in exercising the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com