Chinese navy ship tails, 'challenges' PH vessel near Pag-asa island

From CNN Philippines (Jun 17, 2023): Chinese navy ship tails, 'challenges' PH vessel near Pag-asa island

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) — A Chinese navy ship tailed and "challenged" the BRP Francisco Dagohoy in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Saturday.

The Filipino patrol vessel operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was leaving Pag-asa after delivering boats, fishing gear and other items as part of its livelihood assistance program to Kalayaan town when those aboard, including journalists, noticed the Chinese navy vessel.

"Nung nakadikit na sa Palawan yung mga tao, nag-report na sila na biglang nagpakita ang isang Chinese navy, hindi coast guard, sa likuran nila," PCG spokesperson Armand Balilo said.

[Translation: When they were close to Palawan, they reported that a Chinese Navy vessel, not coast guard, suddenly appeared behind them.]

"Malapit eh, hindi ko lang masabi kung ilang yards pa pero hindi siya napansin sa radar kasi parang nagpatay daw ng AIS [automatic identification systems]. Pero, sinundan sila at tatlong beses sila chinallenge," he added.

[Translation: It was close, I can't say how many yards, but the ship was not detected on radar because it seems like they turned off their AIS. But, it followed them and challenged them three times.]

The PCG said the Chinese navy ship left after the Filipino vessel responded to its challenge.

"Ang engagement kasi doon, sinasagot lang naman nila yung challenge at sinasabi lang na nandito lang sila para sa ating sovereign patrol pero pagkatapos noon ay kumalas na rin ang Chinese navy. Hindi na sila sumunod. Baka bumalik na sila sa puerto."

[Translation: The engagement there was that they [Filipino vessel] responded to the challenge by saying they were there for a sovereign patrol, but after that the Chinese navy left. It didn't continue following. Maybe they went back to port.]

Balilo refused to comment on the implications of a Chinese Navy ship challenging a Filipino vessel.

"Ayokong sabihin kung ano yung implication nito pero alam niyo naman doon sa West Philippine Sea it's a white-to-white ship engagement. Pero hindi naman namin dine-deny na may mga gray ship na nandoon pa rin," he said.

[Translation: I do not want to say what the implications are but you know that in the West Philippine Sea, it's a white-to-white ship engagement. But we are not denying that there are gray ships there.]

White ships refer to coast guard vessels while gray ships refer to military vessels.

"Sa Bajo de Masinloc [Scarborough shoal], kapag lumipad ka, nandoon yung mga white ships sa mouth nung Bajo de Masinloc, pero over the horizon pag lumagpas pa yung eroplano, makikita niyo na yung mga navy ships," Balilo added.

[Translation: In Bajo de Masinloc, if you fly, you will see white ships in the mouth of the reef, but past that, over the horizon, you will see navy ships.]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/6/17/chinese-navy-tails-challenges-ph-vessel.html