By Gabriela Baron
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) clarified on Monday, Feb. 6, that reports claiming that Chinese vessels were tailing a Philippine Navy warship in the West Philippine Sea were “unverified.”
PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo on Saturday said Philippine Navy’s BRP Andres Bonifacio was “monitored and tailed” by two Chinese ships, while the Philippine ship was conducting a “patrol and search mission” within the West Philippine Sea.
However, upon verification, PCG said the incident report that originated from a tweet of American defense and security expert Ray Powell has yet to be verified.
#Philippines now sends one of its newer Coast Guard ships, Parola-class Multi-role Response Vessel BRP Malapascua, to the same area near Loaita Bank that Navy ship BRP Andres Bonifacio just left. Seems some kind of search is still underway. No PRC "watchers" evident this time. https://t.co/SCOgTBXJcA pic.twitter.com/PLkRzSKEbi
— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) February 4, 2023
“The PCG communicates that the said incident report is unverified,” it said in a message. -ag
