MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese language warship aimed its fire-control radar on the Philippine Navy’s BRP Miguel Malvar whereas it patrolled close to Escoda (Sabina) Shoal earlier this month, an motion Manila referred to as “alarming and provocative.”
Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, mentioned the incident occurred on March 7 whereas the BRP Miguel Malvar was conducting a maritime patrol inside the nation’s unique financial zone.
In keeping with Trinidad, the Philippine vessel detected a Folks’s Liberation Military Navy ship, recognized by bow quantity 622, approaching its place close to Sabina Shoal.
The Chinese language ship then directed its fire-control radar on the Philippine vessel, a transfer thought of extremely delicate in naval operations as a result of it may sign focusing on for weapons programs.
“This was an alarming and provocative motion that created pointless threat and will have led to misinterpretation and misunderstanding at sea,” Trinidad mentioned in an announcement.
The BRP Miguel Malvar issued a radio problem, calling on the Chinese language ship to cease what the Navy described as “unprofessional and harmful habits.”
The Chinese language vessel later stowed its fire-control radar, indicating compliance with the warning, and the scenario didn’t escalate additional, Trinidad mentioned.
The Philippine navy mentioned the encounter underscores the necessity for restraint and professionalism amongst vessels working in contested waters.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines reiterates that our ships and plane will proceed to conduct lawful maritime patrols and sovereignty patrols inside our EEZ, according to worldwide legislation and the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” Trinidad mentioned.
Escoda Shoal lies about 140 kilometers west of Palawan within the West Philippine Sea, inside the Philippines’ unique financial zone.
China, nonetheless, claims practically your entire South China Sea, together with these waters, and continues to reject a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims and upheld Manila’s sovereign rights.
The shoal can also be positioned about 55 km east of Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and round 90 km from Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, one in all China’s largest synthetic islands.
It serves as a key staging level for Philippine operations within the space, significantly resupply missions to troops stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a World Conflict II-era vessel intentionally grounded on Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to say the nation’s presence.
Tensions have endured as Manila asserts its maritime rights whereas Beijing continues deploying coast guard and naval ships throughout key options within the West Philippine Sea.
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In December 2025, China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels fired water cannons at Filipino fishing boats close to Escoda Shoal, injuring three fishermen and damaging a number of vessels.
The harassment concerned not less than 5 CCG ships and compelled round 20 Filipino boats, carrying tons of of fishermen, to maneuver away from the world.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, mentioned on the time it was the primary recorded occasion of Filipino fishing boats being immediately hit by water cannons.
Some crews sustained accidents, whereas others have been pressured to chop anchor traces amid tough seas.
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Tarriela additionally famous that Chinese language interference round Escoda had intensified since not less than 2024, when Philippine vessels have been deployed to observe actions within the space. /mcm
