South China Sea: Philippine coastguard accuses Chinese vessels of ‘dangerous, blocking manoeuvres’

BRP Teresa Magbanua, deployed in early February to patrol near Scarborough Shoal, has been repeatedly harassed, the Philippine coastguard said

The incidents follow tense stand-offs between China and the Philippines around disputed South China Sea reefs that saw a collision between vessels

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A Chinese vessel is seen sailing in front of a Philippine coastguard ship near Scarborough Shoal in this screen grab from a handout video released by the Philippines’ coastguard on Sunday. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via AFP

Published: 3:02pm, 11 Feb 2024Updated: 6:50pm, 11 Feb 2024

The Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday accused Chinese vessels of “dangerous” manoeuvres during a nine-day patrol near a reef off the coast of the Southeast Asian country.

The Philippine vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua was deployed in early February to patrol the waters around Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground in the South China Sea, and deliver provisions to Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety.

The reef has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.

Protesters hold placards during a rally outside the Chinese consular office in Manila last week. Filipino fishermen said the demonstration was organised to condemn China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea. Photo: EPA-EFE

Since then, Beijing has deployed patrol boats that Manila says harass Philippine vessels and prevent Filipino fishermen from reaching the lagoon where fish are more plentiful.

During the patrol, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels “performed dangerous and blocking manoeuvres at sea against BRP Teresa Magbanua four times, with the CCG vessels crossing the bow of the PCG vessel twice”, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its ship was also “shadowed” by four Chinese Coast Guard vessels “on more than 40 occasions”.

The coastguard also observed what it described as “four Chinese Maritime Militia vessels” (CMM).