AFP chief denies China's claim of driving away PH Navy vessel

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. denied reports on Tuesday that China's Coast Guard had driven away a Philippine Navy vessel near Scarborough Shoal.

Brawner stated that the claim is propaganda and not true, emphasizing that there was no Philippine Navy presence in the area when the incident allegedly occurred.

The AFP confirmed that while a Navy ship was conducting a maritime patrol mission near Scarborough Shoal, it did not change course or stop despite being challenged by Chinese forces.

Brawner noted that if a PN ship had been present, it would not have been allowed to be driven away as the area is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).