Despite Chinese harassment of its lawful maritime patrols, the Armed Forces (AFP) on Thursday said that it will continue protecting the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction at the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and its vast maritime territories. The military issued this statement after Chinese frigates and Coast Guard ships on May 5 subjected the Navy (PN)’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) to “aggressive and unsafe maneuvers” as it patrolled some 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal) off Zambales. “On 5 May 2025, the PN’s BRP Emilio Jacinto, while conducting routine and lawful maritime patrol operations in support of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources [BFAR] and the Coast Guard [PCG], encountered aggressive and unsafe maneuvers by two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy [PLAN] Jiangkai II-class frigates [Type 054A] with bow numbers 554 and 573, and a China Coast Guard [CCG] vessel [with bow number] 5403,” the AFP said in a statement.

Naval, R. A. (2025, May 9). Chinese harassment won't deter AFP from operating at WPS. Business Mirror, p. A3.