Chinese coast guard and militia ships reportedly blocked two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships on patrol in Ayungin Shoal and forced them out of the area, according to a defense and maritime security expert tracking the movement of ships in the South China Sea. In a post on X on Sunday, Ray Powell of SeaLight said the PCG’s 44-meter BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño were “intercepted” by China Coast Guard (CCG) ship with bow number 5203 and by “at least” six maritime militia vessels. The PCG has not yet issued a statement on Powell’s report. The two PCG ships were spotted “passing ~14 nautical miles east of Second Thomas Shoal,” Powell, a former US Air Force official, said, referring to Ayungin Shoal by its international name.

Ong, G., & Clapano, J. R. (2024, July 9). China vessels intercept 2 PCG ships in Ayungin. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 4.