AFP refutes China's claim of Philippine vessel intrusion in WPS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has rebuffed China's claim that a Philippine frigate illegally intruded into Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The AFP spokesperson, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, stated that the Philippines has the legal right to conduct patrols within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without seeking permission from any other country.

Padilla emphasized that "We sail by right, not by permission," and that the Philippine Navy was conducting regular patrols.

This incident occurred on April 20, the day before the annual Balikatan Exercise between the Philippines and the US officially opened.

China's Southern Theater Command had alleged that the Philippine Navy's BRP Apolinario Mabini "illegally entered the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao."

Padilla also criticized the Chinese Communist Party's "pattern of disinformation and baseless propaganda" used to assert its sweeping claims over the South China Sea.