UPDATE - Philippines, China make conflicting claims over incident at sea

UPDATES WITH CHINESE STATEMENT; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Philippines and China on Friday made conflicting claims of an incident involving vessels from the maritime neighbors that happened last Sunday.

Manila earlier in the day accused China of “aggressive tactics” at sea, referring to the incident.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had said: “On the morning of April 23, 2023, two Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels intercepted the PCG vessels that were in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.”

“(The) CCG vessel 5201 and 4202 exhibited aggressive tactics towards (PCG vessels) BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo, respectively,” said the statement.

Manila and Beijing have counter-claims in the disputed South China Sea, which has seen persistent tensions between maritime neighbors.

Beijing claimed Manila’s vessels allegedly intruded into its waters.

It also lodged protest with the Southeast Asian nation.

Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Beijing: “China lodged solemn representations and strong dissatisfaction over Philippine coast guard vessels’ intruding into waters off the Ren’ai Reef.”

“It was a premeditated and provocative action for the Philippine vessels to barge into the waters off the Ren’ai Reef with journalists on board. It aimed to deliberately find fault with China and hype a potential incident,” said Mao, urging Manila to “respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea,” Chinese daily Global Times reported.

Manila had accused the CCG vessel numbered 5201 of carrying out “dangerous maneuvers near BRP Malapascua, maintaining a perilous distance of only 50 yards.”

The incident happened when China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang was visiting Manila between April 21 and 23.

“This close proximity posed a significant threat to the safety and security of the Philippine vessel and its crew,” the PCG said.

The coast guard also said it has already submitted a report to the National Task Force West Philippine Sea, “highlighting the presence of a Chinese warship, the continued appearance of alleged CMM vessels within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as the aggressive actions of the CCG against PCG vessels.”