National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said Philippine Coast Guard challenged and dispersed the Chinese militia vessels at the Sabina Shoal inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The chairman of the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources found seven Chinese ships at the Sabina Shoal while conducting sovereignty patrols on April 27.
Sabina Shoal lies in position 09° 45′ N 116° 28′ E, 123.6 nautical miles from Palawan Island. It lies 56 nautical miles southwest of Carnatic Shoal, with two main parts and an area of 115 square kilometers (44 sq mi).
The eastern half of Sabina Shoal consists of reefs awash, while the western half consists of banks 3.7 to 8.3 meters deep, and reefs enclosing a lagoon.
“Upon their arrival, the Government vessels sighted seven Chinese maritime militia vessels which were in nested or in stationary linear formation at Sabina Shoal,” Esperon said.
“The crew of BRP Cabra issued a series of challenges to the offending vessels, but elicited no response from the CMMs,” he added.
Chinese militia vessels disperse Sabina Shoal: Esperon
After the PCG vessel BRP Cabra “challenged” Chinese militia vessels, the Chinese ships, dispersed.
On April 29, the BRP Cabra returned to Sabina Shoal and again found five remaining Chinese militia ships. The vessels, later on, left the region upon arrival of the Philippine vessel.
Esperon also strongly condemn the Chinese Coast Guard’s “blocking and dangerous maneuver” against PCG vessels last April 24 to April 25.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuvers and radio challenges conducted by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) against PCG vessels BRP Gabriela Silang and BRP Sindangan, during legitimate law enforcement patrols and maritime exercises while in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (BdM) on 24-25 April 2021, as a violation of our sovereignty,” said Esperon.
“As part of our rotational patrol over BdM, PCG vessels BRP Sindangan and BFAR MCS 3005 are en route to the area to enforce our fisheries laws and protect our fishermen. On the other hand, BRP Malapascua is under way to the Municipality of Kalayaan,” he added.
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