In yet another alarming escalation in the West Philippine Sea, two Chinese Navy frigates and a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel executed aggressive maneuvers against a Philippine Navy ship conducting a routine patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal earlier this week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) revealed May 8.
The AFP condemned the incident as a violation of international maritime law, saying the Chinese warships posed a direct threat to the safety of the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), which was patrolling the waters in support of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on May 5.
According to the AFP, the incident occurred roughly 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), just as the Philippines and the United States concluded large-scale joint military exercises in nearby waters. The Chinese vessels involved were Jiangkai II-class frigates with hull numbers 554 and 573, along with a CCG vessel bearing hull number 5403.
In a maneuver the AFP described as “reckless” and “unsafe”, one of the Chinese frigates closely tailed the Emilio Jacinto while the other crossed its bow at a dangerously close distance. The CCG ship also attempted to block the Philippine vessel’s path, heightening the risk of a collision.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines expresses its serious concern over these irresponsible actions by Chinese maritime forces. Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstanding that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability,” it said in a statement on May 8.
The incident is part of a broader pattern of China’s increasingly assertive posture in Philippine waters, long challenged by Beijing’s sweeping, and widely disputed, claims in the South China Sea.
Scarborough Shoal, located about 220 kilometers west of Zambales, is a traditional fishing ground and has been a flashpoint since China seized control of it in 2012.
Despite China’s claims, the AFP emphasized that the Philippine Navy’s patrols are fully within Philippine jurisdiction.
“The AFP remains steadfast in defending the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines in its vast maritime domain, including its territorial seas in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international and domestic law and in pursuit of the rules-based order in the maritime domain,” it added.
Philippines unfazed, vows continued patrols
Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad stressed that the Philippines would not be deterred by China’s hostile maneuvers.
“We will keep performing our mandate, we will keep performing the patrols,” Trinidad told reporters also on May 8.
He revealed that one of the Chinese warships came within 25 meters of the Emilio Jacinto, a dangerously close distance for naval vessels at sea. Although this is not the first such incident, he said the last similar encounter occurred about two years ago.
Trinidad explained that BRP Emilio Jacinto’s presence in the area was intended to demonstrate that the waters are part of Philippine territory and fall within the Navy’s mandate.
“It’s a high tide elevation, it’s a rock, (it has a) territorial sea so we will keep performing our mandate.”
He added that the Philippine Navy will continue conducting patrols within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea and emphasized that all operations are lawful. “All our actions are always within the bounds of domestic and international law, we have ensured that our men understand that, all their actions, and we have the rules of engagement.”
In response to the incident, China accused the Philippines of “intruding” into what it claims are its territorial waters.
Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command, said China deployed “naval and air forces to track, monitor, warn and drive away the Philippine boat in accordance with laws and regulations”.
Tian further accused the Philippines of “disregarding the facts” and “misleading international perception”, charges that Manila has strongly denied.
Lawmaker rallies behind military
Senator Francis Tolentino joined a chorus of condemnation, calling the incident “not only reckless and dangerous”, but a “blatant violation of international maritime norms and an affront to Philippine sovereignty”.
He urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to issue a “strong diplomatic protest” and called on the country’s allies to support the Philippines.
“The continued presence and intimidation tactics of Chinese forces in this area are a clear disregard of the rule of law and an attempt to undermine the peace and security in the West Philippine Sea,” Tolentino said.
“We will not be cowed. The Filipino people will continue to assert what is rightfully ours under international law.”
Meanwhile, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, once again urged Filipino voters to be vigilant as the country heads into the midterm elections on May 12.
He urged voters to be discerning, emphasizing the importance of choosing leaders with a proven track record of genuinely defending the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea and not deceiving the public.
“They need to make sure that the leaders they elect won’t deceive them, and that the track record of those politicians shows they are truly sincere in fighting for our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said.
Photo credit: Armed Forces of the Philippines. Chinese frigate BN 554 is seen tailing the Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto during a maritime patrol near Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 5, 2025.
