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Chinese Coast Guard vessels shadow PH Navy warship near Mischief Reef: PH Coast Guard

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Jeck Batallones, ABS-CBN News

<div><strong>PCG backtracks, says report still unverified</strong></div><p>MANILA (UPDATED) - Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels and two Chinese Maritime Militia &quot;fishing vessels/boats&quot; shadowed a Philippine warship near Mischief Reef in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard reported. </p><p>PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said in a message the Philippine Navy warship BRP Andres Bonifacio ( PS-17 ) was “monitored and tailed” by the Chinese vessels while the former was conducting a “patrol and search mission” within the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile exclusive zone. </p><p>According to Balilo, the “Chinese Maritime Militia fishing vessels/boats even conducted an intercept course towards the Philippine Navy warship.” </p><p>However on Monday, PCG said that upon verification, the incident report originated from a tweet of American defense and security expert Ray Powell.</p><p>&quot;Hence, as of 06 February 2023, the PCG communicates that the said incident report is unverified,&quot; PCG added.</p><p>In 2016, the international arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s “nine-dash line” in the South China Sea was invalid and that it does not have historic rights over the disputed area. </p><p>China, however, continues to disregard the ruling. More vessels affiliated with China continue to appear off the Philippines’ west coast, increasing tension between the two countries.</p><p>Chinese ships cruising in the disputed region have often been reported shadowing, intercepting, or harassing Philippine fishing vessels. </p><p>Commander Ariel Coloma, chief PAO of WESCOM, said that navy vessels are doing regular patrols in the WPS as mandated. </p><p>“Our vessels are actually conducting regular sovereignty and maritime patrols in the WPS. The presence of PN and PCG vessels right now in those areas is part of their mandated tasks. As regards activity or mission of BRP Malapascua, may I refer you to the PCG,&quot; he said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/15/22/chinese-vessels-seen-in-parts-of-west-philippine-sea">Chinese vessels seen in parts of West Philippine Sea: military</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/22/23/ph-coast-guard-adds-more-vessels-in-west-ph-sea">PH Coast Guard adds more patrol vessels in West PH Sea after latest incident with China</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2346095" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels and two Chinese Maritime Militia 'fishing vessels/boats' shadowed a Philippine warship near Mischief Reef in the West Philippine Sea. 

Chinese Coast Guard vessels shadow PH Navy warship near Mischief Reef: PH Coast Guard

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Chinese Coast Guard vessels shadow PH Navy warship near Mischief Reef: PH Coast Guard

Jeck Batallones,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 05, 2023 06:19 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 06, 2023 07:28 PM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

Chinese Coast Guard

vessels

fishing boat

Philippine Coast Guard

PCG

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