A recent incident in the West Philippine Sea has raised concerns about maritime communication between China and the Philippines. A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship followed two patrolling Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels for two days, just days after both countries held talks to improve their communication and prevent any incidents that could escalate their sea dispute.
The incident was documented by maritime defense expert and retired United States Air Force Col. Raymond Powell, who used the automatic tracking system (ATS) to gather information on the identification and positioning of vessels. According to Powell, from January 19 to 21, the CCG ship with the identification number 5205 shadowed the PCG vessels Cabra and Sindangan as they sailed near the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal during their three-day patrol.
The Chinese ship positioned itself between the PCG ships and Ayungin Shoal as they moved northwest. Powell speculated that the CCG ship may have believed that the Cabra and Sindangan were delivering supplies to Filipino troops stationed on the beached Navy ship Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. As the PCG ships appeared to stop and investigate the western edge of Sabina Shoal, the Chinese ship moved closer to them.
Powell also noted that China had deployed a blockading force around Ayungin from nearby Panganiban (Mischief) Reef earlier in January. This deployment indicated that something significant was about to happen in the area. China had blamed previous incidents in Ayungin on the Philippine government’s defiance of a supposed consensus regarding the transportation of construction materials to transform the Sierra Madre into a permanent station.
Last week, the Philippines and China convened the 8th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea in Shanghai. During the meeting, both countries agreed to handle incidents in the waterway diplomatically. However, the recent incident involving the China Coast Guard driving away Filipino fishermen gathering sea shells in Baja de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal has caused alarm.
According to the fishermen’s report to the Philippine Coast Guard, Chinese ships and rubber boats accosted them and prevented them from leaving unless they threw back into the sea the shells they had collected. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed concern over this incident, considering it a potential escalation.
However, a Manila-based think tank, the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI), disputed the PCG’s claim of harassment by the CCG. The ACPSSI suggested that the actions taken by the Chinese government may have been a legitimate conservation effort to prevent poaching of endangered marine species. The institute’s president, Herman Tiu Laurel, criticized the PCG spokesman for making derogatory allegations without solid evidence and attempting to disrupt the progress made during the talks in Shanghai.
The incident was captured on video by a witness named Jack Tabat. The PCG had also gathered sworn statements from the fishermen involved. The tensions arising from this incident highlight the challenges faced in maintaining peaceful relations and resolving disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
As both China and the Philippines work towards improved maritime communication and diplomatic solutions, incidents like these underscore the importance of clear and open dialogue. It is crucial for both countries to address concerns and find common ground to ensure stability and avoid any further escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Source: The Manila Times
