China Coast Guard performs dangerous maneuver vs. PH vessel in WPS anew

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday said that the China Coast Guard performed a dangerous maneuver against a Philippine vessel on a rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal.

The AFP released photos and videos of the incident which it said took place at around 6 a.m.

The dangerous maneuver of ‘crossing the bow’ was conducted by China Coast Guard vessel BN21551, according to the AFP.

The Philippine vessel, Unaizah May 4 (UM4), is the same vessel that was damaged in a water canon attack by the China Coast Guard earlier this month. 

The AFP said Unaizah May 4 (UM4) departed the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Friday, March 22, 2024.

Its mission is to bring supplies to Filipino soldiers stationed in BRP Sierra Madre.

UM4 is escorted by two Philippine Navy ships, with two more from the Philippine Coast Guard as escorts to UM4, according to the AFP. 

“This particular mission was set up to ensure a full troop complement on board BRP Sierra Madre after one personnel needing serious medical attention was recently evacuated,” the AFP said.

“Personnel are being rotated in to ensure that BRP Sierra Madre’s mission posture remains uncompromised,” it added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News