Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Major General Jay Tarriela accused Chinese coast guard vessels of "dangerous" actions in the Scarborough Shoal area, a disputed territory between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, on February 17.
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| Tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea continue to escalate. (Source: AFP) |
On February 17, Major General Jay Tarriela, spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard, accused Chinese coast guard vessels of "dangerous" actions after Chinese coast guard ships repeatedly blocked a Philippine vessel carrying supplies for fishermen in the disputed Scarborough Shoal area of the South China Sea.
Earlier, on February 15 and 16, the Philippine coast guard also made similar accusations against Chinese vessels in the same area.
Speaking at a press conference in Manila, Tarriela declared: "No vessel is permitted to cross in front of another vessel because that action is very dangerous." Tarriela argued that such actions could "cause collisions."
In one of the most recent incidents, a Chinese naval vessel, Chinese coast guard ships, and other Chinese vessels tracked a Philippine vessel belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that was carrying food and fuel for Filipino fishermen, thereby allowing them more time at sea and a larger catch.
AFP reporters and journalists from several local news agencies were aboard the Philippine vessel BRP Datu Tamblot during its three-day round trip. The Datu Tamblot and Chinese coast guard vessels continuously exchanged messages via radio, with each side accusing the other of violating its territorial waters. Chinese coast guard vessels intercepted the Datu Tamblot four times by crossing its bow and preventing the Philippine vessel from approaching Scarborough Shoal.
Mr. Tarriela added that despite China's actions, the Datu Tamblot vessel was still able to approach the shoal within a few kilometers and deliver 21,000 liters of diesel fuel and other supplies to 19 Philippine fishing vessels.
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