March 25 ------ TWO Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels, BRP Bagacay and BRP Datu Pagbuaya, along with a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) patrol ship, were deployed 25 to 30 nautical miles east of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea on Monday as part of a routine maritime patrol in the West Philippine Sea. However, the operation swiftly escalated into a tense standoff when two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels moved to intercept the Philippine ships.
Shortly after, a third Chinese coast guard vessel, accompanied by six maritime militia ships, took up blocking positions, effectively surrounding the Philippine contingent and further raising tensions in the area. This development was reported by SeaLight, a transparency initiative dedicated to monitoring maritime activities in the South China Sea. Retired United States Air Force Colonel Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, said no significant movement was observed in the area as of noon. "The situation is about the same as before. The ships haven't moved much since I first posted," Powell said, underscoring the tense but static nature of the standoff.
Philippine authorities have yet to issue any statement regarding the current situation in the area.
Source: manilatimes.net
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