PCG says reports of Chinese vessels shadowing PH Navy warship unverified

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) initially reported that two Chinese Coast Guard vessels and two Chinese Maritime Militia boats shadowed the Philippine Navy warship BRP Andres Bonifacio near Mischief Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG stated the Philippine Navy warship was monitored and tailed by the Chinese vessels while on patrol within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

The Chinese Maritime Militia vessels reportedly conducted an intercept course towards the Philippine Navy warship.

However, the PCG later clarified that the incident report was unverified, originating from a tweet by American defense expert Mr. Ray Powell.

Powell, head of Project Myoushu Team of Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation of Stanford University, had provided details of the incident including the bow numbers of the Chinese vessels.

The PCG noted that the report they obtained did not directly come from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), hence its unverified status.

This incident occurs amidst ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where China continues to disregard an international ruling invalidating its 'nine-dash line' claim.