Aside from the usual presence of Chinese vessels in Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, a Chinese warship was spotted in the disputed waters during a maritime patrol of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Multi-role response vessel 4402 or BRP Malabrigo returned from Bajo de Masinloc yesterday after conducting a four-day maritime patrol in the area.
It reported the presence of five Chinese vessels in the Scarborough Shoal, Capt. Armand Balilo, Coast Guard spokesman, said.
“Dalawang China Coast Guard, dalawang militia boats, at isang naval ship ang namataan ng mga tauhan ng Coast Guard na umiikot sa gilid ng Scarburough Shoal,” Balilo bared.
During the maritime patrol, three local vessels were also in the area while Chinese vessels roamed around.
However, even with the intimidating presence of the foreign vessels, the local fishermen denied that they were being harassed.
It was also disclosed that China Coast Guard, during the four-day patrol, kept on asking the presence of local Coast Guard unit in the disputed waters. (Betheena Kae Unite)
