The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that two Chinese warships and a China Coast Guard vessel engaged in dangerous maneuvers against a Philippine Navy ship near Bajo de Masinloc on May 5. The BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) was conducting a routine patrol to support the Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries when it was shadowed and blocked by Chinese vessels.
According to the AFP, Chinese Navy frigate BN 554 closely tailed the Philippine ship, while BN 573 made a hazardous crossing in front of it—posing serious risks of collision. Meanwhile, the Chinese Coast Guard’s vessel 5403 attempted to block PS35’s path.
The incident happened within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, just 11.8 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), an area long contested by Beijing despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidating China’s expansive claims.
The AFP condemned the actions as “irresponsible” and warned that such provocations threaten regional stability and violate international maritime collision rules. The Chinese Embassy has not yet commented on the report.