The Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday, February 11, accused China of carrying out the maneuver. “dangerous” During a nine-day patrol off the coast of the archipelago. Chinese Coast Guard ships “Made dangerous maneuvers and interceptions on four occasions” Against Filipino patrol boats, a press release condemns Manila.
watchman, BRP Teresa-Magbanuawas deployed in early February “Ensuring the Safety of Filipino Fishermen” Around Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea, about 350 kilometers west of Manila. The reef was taken from the Philippines by Beijing in 2012.
During the mission there was a patrol boat “follow up” by four Chinese coast guard vessels, according to the Philippines. The Chinese embassy in Manila had no immediate comment.
Clash in December
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands off its neighbors’ coasts, and has ignored a 2016 International Court of Justice ruling rejecting the claim. The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim several reefs and islands in this sea, some of which may contain rich oil reserves.
In December, a Philippine boat and a Chinese coast guard vessel collided in waters off the Spratly Islands, near another Thomas Atoll where a Philippine garrison is based. Both countries blamed each other for this incident.
