As the Chinese Coast Guard is determined to intercept, harass, and block the country's maritime patrols in its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, the military vowed to be more eager to defend and protect the Philippines' territorial integrity in the South China Sea. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., on Wednesday, confirmed that the Chinese Coast Guard "challenged" anew Philippine Navy vessels on a patrol mission near Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. "While patrolling in the area, we noticed that the CCG challenged our navy ship. So we responded to that challenge and asserted that we were on a patrol mission and told them to stay away and not to block our maritime patrol," he said in Filipino in an interview on state-run Radyo Pilipinas.

Kabagani, L. J. (2023, October 12). China's blocking won't stop Phl patrols in WPS. Daily Tribune, pp. A1, A2.