"Aggressive and unsafe": Philippine Navy patrol harassed by Chinese Navy vessels

A Philippine Navy patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea encountered "aggressive and unsafe" movements by two Chinese Navy vessels earlier this week, the Philippine military said on Thursday.

On May 5, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), while conducting routine maritime patrol operations in support of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), encountered two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessels Jiangkai II-class frigates (Type 054A) with bow numbers 554 and 573, and a China Coast Guard vessel 5403. The incident occurred approximately 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc.

"The Chinese frigate BN 554 was documented tailing PS35 at close range, while BN 573 dangerously crossed its bow in a high-risk maneuver that created the danger of collision," the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement.

"China Coast Guard vessel 5403 also attempted to obstruct PS35’s navigational path. Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstanding that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability."

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Writing by John Mair; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)