Chinese militia blocks Philippine vessel anew

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese maritime militia ship engaged a Philippine vessel in a “dangerous maneuver” in an attempt to prevent it from delivering supplies and other provisions to fishermen in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off the coast of Zambales.

In videos posted on state-run PTV, the Chinese vessel sailed close to another ship flying two Philippine flags.

Another video showed the supposed blocking attempt by the Chinese maritime militia vessel on the BRP Datu Sanday of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The Chinese ship was estimated to be 300 meters close to the BFAR vessel, according to PTV. The incident happened 1.2 nautical miles south of Panatag Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc.

Despite the challenge, the BFAR and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were able to deliver supplies, including gasoline and grocery packs, to the Filipino fishermen onboard 44 mother ships in Panatag Shoal, the state-run television network added.

Meanwhile, a group supposedly based in China once again accused the Philippines of provocation due to the presence of Filipino fishing boats around the Panatag Shoal.

In a post on X yesterday, the South China Sea Probing Initiative posted photos that it said were of Philippine fishing boats scattered around Panatag Shoal last Feb. 22.

One photo showed the boats seemingly forming a line, while another showed the boats already dispersed.

“Obviously, this is an organized provocative behavior and has nothing to do with the livelihood of fishermen,” the group claimed.

The Filipino vessels were also “just aiming to challenge the status quo of Chinese control,” it added.

The South China Sea Probing Initiative – with officials composed mostly of Chinese academicians – was established in April 2019 or three years after the 2016 arbitral award, “with a view to maintaining and promoting the peace, stability and prosperity of the South China Sea,” according to information on its website

“The Initiative aims to integrate intellectual resources and open source information worldwide and keep track of important actions and major policy changes of key stakeholders and other parties involved. It provides professional data services