AFP chief criticizes China over warship deployment at Scarborough Shoal

General Romeo Brawner Jr., AFP chief, criticized China for deploying a warship to Scarborough Shoal, which he says violates an agreement from 2012.

On Monday, August 11, a Chinese Navy ship rammed another Chinese vessel while pursuing the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Suluan during an aid distribution mission near Bajo de Masinloc.

China maintains its claim to the South China Sea and warns against Philippine actions that infringe on their territorial sovereignty, while the Philippines continues to assert its rights over the West Philippine Sea.

The 2012 agreement between Manila and Beijing stipulated both countries should withdraw their Navy ships from Scarborough Shoal; however, China has since maintained control through its coast guard and maritime militia.

Philippine Coast Guard vessels faced harassment from Chinese ships during an aid distribution mission at Bajo de Masinloc last Monday, with the incident seen as a breach of the 2012 agreement by General Romeo Brawner Jr.

The AFP plans to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and PCG to discuss strategies for addressing China’s restrictions on Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal, including potential joint naval exercises or deploying a warship.