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NSC exec: PH has right to deploy vessels amid Chinese harassment

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
December 5, 2024, 1:50 pm Updated on December 5, 2024, 3:05 pm

MANILA -- A ranking National Security Council (NSC) official on Thursday said the Philippines "reserves the right" to deploy its naval vessels following China's latest harassment in the West Philippine Sea.

This came after People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships was seen among Chinese ships harassing Filipino vessels in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) on Dec. 4.

"In a response to the escalation of the PRC (People's Republic of China) of deploying PLAN ships to actively impede our resupply mission to PH (Philippine) fishermen, the PH government also reserves the right to deploy PN (Philippine Navy) ships at a place and time of our choosing," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told the Philippine News Agency, following China's latest hostile actions.

Filipino vessels were harassed anew when a China Coast Guard ship fired a water cannon at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' BRP Datu Pagbuaya's navigational antennas while it was located 16 nautical miles south of Bajo de Masinloc.

The ship was also "intentionally sideswiped" by the same ship and shortly thereafter, launched its second water cannon attack.

In this operation, PCG and BFAR ships experienced aggressive actions from several CCG vessels with bow numbers CCG-5303, CCG-3302 and CCG-3104.

Also taking part in the harassment were PLAN vessels with bow numbers 500 and 571.

"At around 6:30 a.m. CCG-3302 fired a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV-3003), aiming directly at the vessel's navigational antennas while it was located 16 nautical miles south of Bajo de Masinloc. Following this hostile action, CCG-3302 intentionally sideswiped the BRP Datu Pagbuaya on its starboard side. Shortly thereafter, at 6:55 a.m., CCG-3302 launched a second water cannon attack on the same vessel," the PCG and BFAR said in a joint statement.

Beijing lays sovereignty claims over the feature, which is located well within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

In a separate interview, Malaya said the PLAN ship's blocking and shadowing of BRP Teresa Magbanua is a provocation and an escalatory move on the part of the People's Republic of China.

"As you very well know, in the past, PLAN ships were in the area but they were just (on) the horizon. They would not do dangerous maneuvers against our Philippine vessels," he said.

"We do not want to be sending signals to China that they can do what they want simply because we do not want to escalate. Now, it is they that first deployed the PLAN ship. Therefore, it is now, it is also within the rights of the Philippines and we reserve that right to deploy our PN ships in the future," he said.

AFP to continue regular maritime patrols

As this developed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP) announced that it will continue to conduct regular maritime patrols through the PN and the Philippine Air Force to assert the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights and protect its territorial waters.

"We are actively monitoring these developments to ensure a vigilant presence in the area. The AFP remains committed to safeguarding national interests and maintaining stability in our maritime zones," it added. (PNA)