By Ruth Abbey Gita – Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has raised concern over the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) dangerous maneuvers in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Malacañang said on Tuesday (April 7).
“Of course, concerned po ang ating Pangulo sa mga nangyayari,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told Palace reporters, in the wake of Beijing’s latest aggressive actions in Panatag Shoal.
Castro said Manila will continue to be “professional” and let the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) address the issue.
“Mini-maintain pa rin po natin ’yong level of professionalism na may kasama pong fearless spirit of patriotism,” she said.
The PCG on Sunday challenged a CCG vessel that was detected within 83–85 nautical miles off Palauig, Zambales, well within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
CCG 3302 started shadowing the PCG’s 44-meter patrol vessel BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) some 176 km. west northwest of Capones Island, Zambales, according to a report from a media outlet.
The PCG vessel was heading to the southwest part of Panatag, also called Bajo de Masinloc, when the incident happened.
The Chinese vessel carried out “reckless and dangerous maneuvers” at a distance of 16 meters dead ahead to the port side of the BRP Cabra, as if it were to ram it, “displaying a blatant disregard for safety,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commo. Jay Tarriela said in a media interview. (PNA)
