The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday clarified its report on the alleged overshadowing incident in Mischief Reef in the West Philippine Sea purportedly involving two Chinese Coast Guard vessels and two Chinese Maritime Militia “fishing vessels/boats.”
“The PCG clarifies an incident report regarding an alleged intercept course between Philippine Navy’s BRP Andres Bonifacio and two Chinese vessels in the vicinity waters off the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, 4 February 2023,” the statement released by the PCG said.
On Saturday, PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo told reporters via Viber that the Philippine Navy warship BRP Andres Bonifacio was “monitored and tailed” by the Chinese vessels while the vessel was conducting a “patrol and search mission” within the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile exclusive zone.
“The Chinese Maritime Militia fishing vessels/boats even conducted an intercept course towards the Philippine Navy warship,” Balilo said.
But later on, they said that the information was not indeed verified and just quoted a tweet from a former official of the United States Defense Department.
“Upon verification, the PCG confirmed that the said incident report originated from a tweet of American Defense and Security Expert, Mr. Ray Powell. Hence, as of 6 February 2023, the PCG communicates that the said incident report is unverified,” the PCG said.
Six years ago, an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention delivered a unanimous decision, which is final and binding on the Philippines and China.
In its ruling, the Tribunal firmly rejected the PRC’s expansive South China Sea maritime claims called the “nine-dash line,” as having no basis in international law.
China, however, continues to disregard the tribunal’s decision, and Chinese vessels continue to appear off the Philippines’ west coast, incurring tension between the two countries, as Chinese ships traversing the disputed region have been reported of either shadowing, intercepting, or harassing Philippine fishing vessels, including fishermen.