The BRP Benguet (LS507) - Naval Forces West
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): A Chinese Navy warship carried out what the Philippine military called “dangerous manoeuvres” when it crossed a Philippine Navy transport ship’s bow at a distance of 350 yards, the latest aggressive action of Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippine Navy’s BRP Benguet (LS-507) was at 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa (Thitu) Island en route to Rizal (Commodore) Reef for a regular rotation and resupply mission on Friday (Oct 13), when it was shadowed by People’s Liberation Army Navy ship 621 at a distance of 80 yards and attempted to cross its bow with the closest point of approach at 350 yards, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 15).
The BRP Benguet issued consecutive radio challenges against the Chinese warship, citing the violation of the Collision Regulations, and demanded it to steer clear from its path.
The Chinese Navy ship responded “using their so-called and patently baseless ‘10-dash line’ narrative,” the AFP said.
A video released by the AFP showed the Chinese warship appearing to head right to left in front of BRP Benguet’s path. The Chinese ship later changed course.
The PLAN 621 (Panzhihua) is a 1,500-tonne Jiangdao-class corvette equipped with anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles, naval guns and torpedoes.
AFP chief Gen Romeo Brawner Jr said these “dangerous and offensive manoeuvres by China’s PLAN not only risk collision but also directly endanger the lives of maritime personnel from both sides.”
The Philippines has military outposts on nine reefs and islands in the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.
“China’s illegal presence and activities interfere with a legitimate Philippine rotation and resupply mission. Its conduct of aggressive manoeuvres; and any other similar activities that infringe upon the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are violations of international law,” the AFP said.
