Philippine Navy denies expelling BRP Apolinario Mabini from Panatag Shoal

A ranking Philippine Navy official on Monday denied that Chinese maritime forces expelled the BRP Apolinario Mabini while it was patrolling Panatag Shoal on April 20.

China claimed that the Filipino naval vessel intruded into Huangyan Dao without approval, but PN spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad dismissed this as part of Beijing's 'malign information or shaping operations.'

The Philippine Navy emphasized that only it and other Philippine-flagged law enforcement vessels have the authority to challenge foreign ships in the country’s maritime zones.

Senior Captain Zhao Zhiwei from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command stated that they tracked, monitored, and warned off the BRP Apolinario Mabini for illegal intrusion into what China calls Huangyan Dao (Bajo de Masinloc).

Rear Adm. Trinidad stressed that the Philippine Navy does not need permission from China to patrol Bajo de Masinloc as it is within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

The Chinese PLA warned the Philippine side to cease infringement and provocation, threatening consequences if they do not comply.