AFP confirms, hits China’s ‘intrusive patrols’ in West Philippine Sea

A China Coast Guard ship maneuvers past a Philippine fishing boat during the distribution of fuel and food to fishers by the civilian-led mission Atin Ito (This Is Ours) Coalition, in the disputed South China Sea on May 16, 2024. A Philippine boat convoy bearing supplies for Filipino fishers said they were headed back to port on May 16, ditching plans to sail to a Beijing-held reef off the Southeast Asian country after one of their boats was “constantly shadowed” by a Chinese vessel. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday confirmed the presence of China Coast Guard’s “monster ship” near a naval outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the ship’s presence near BRP Sierra Madre is part of “intrusive patrols” of China. 

“The presence of this 12,000-ton CCG ship near BRP Sierra Madre is part of a broader pattern of intrusive patrols aimed at asserting unlawful claims over areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” Padilla said in a statement.

Padilla said the AFP is “closely monitoring” all activities in the West Philippine Sea. 

“Our forces will continue to monitor and report any developments in the West Philippine Sea in the performance of our mandate,” Padilla said.

“We call on all nations to respect international law and to refrain from actions that escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.”

This development came only a week after the most violent incident on the resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre to date, which even led to what the military deemed “looting” and even caused a severe injury to a Philippine Navy personnel.

West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell said the CCG ship “passed close” to the BRP Sierra Madre on Monday morning.

Powell, however, said the ship is no longer near Ayungin and has already approached nearby Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where the Philippine Coast Guard’s largest ship has been deployed for months.

Sabina Shoal serves as the rendezvous point for Filipino vessels carrying out resupply missions to naval troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, which became one of the flashpoints of tension between Manila and Beijing.

Powell then noted that the CCG’s biggest vessel “has been on a tour of South China Sea hotspots,” including the waters of the Philippines’ Pag-asa Island and Malaysia’s Luconia Shoal, part of the disputed Spratly Islands. 

The maritime features in the Spratlys occupied by Manila are locally known as the Kalayaan Island Group. Its capital, Pag-asa Island, hosts Filipino civilians and military personnel.