MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday called the “dangerous maneuvers” of a Chinese Navy warship against the country’s naval vessel in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) an “isolated incident.”
On Oct. 13, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Benguet was 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island when it was shadowed by a People’s Liberation Army-Navy ship at a distance of 80 yards and attempted to cross its bow with the closest point of approach at 350 yards, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar even noted that the incident involving the Navy ships of both countries was unprecedented.
“I cannot judge right now with a single isolated incident,” Teodoro said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum when asked if the acts of China’s gray ship — referring to naval vessels — could be considered an escalation.
“But nevertheless, our operations within the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will proceed,” he added.
China has repeatedly called the activities of the Philippines in the WPS “provocative,” but Teodoro said these acts are “legitimate.”
“We are not provoking anybody because we are doing legitimate activities within our 200 nautical mile EEZ and other territorial jurisdictions,” the Defense chief said.
“Now, if we enter the 200 nautical mile EEZ of other countries, then that is a pure provocation which we have no intention of doing whatsoever,” he pointed out.
READ: Teodoro says China a ‘squatter’ in West PH Sea
China insists that it owns nearly all of the South China Sea, including the WPS, citing its 10-dash line, which used to be a nine-dash line.
In 2013, Manila questioned Beijing’s nine-dash line before the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
An Arbitral Award was eventually issued in July 2016, effectively dismissing China’s sweeping demarcation.