Alarmed by the PH Navy? Chinese ships, drones, aircraft monitored near Bajo de Masinloc

MANILA — At least nine Chinese maritime assets were monitored near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, October 16, as the Philippine Navy noted a slight increase in the number of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels in the area.

These included four People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, one of which was a supply vessel; two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships; two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); and one maritime patrol aircraft.

The Philippine Navy’s BRP Miguel Malvar continued conducting maritime patrols around the shoal to uphold the country’s territorial integrity and maritime interests.

According to LCDR Bryan Magura, executive officer of BRP Miguel Malvar, the Chinese maritime assets may have consolidated in the area in response to the Philippine Navy’s presence.

“I believe sila [Chinese maritime assets] na rin ‘yun. Naalarm sa presence ng Philippine Navy at nagconsolidate sa area kung saan tayo,” Magura told reporters in an interview.

“So far, wala naman kaming naobserve na any obstruction na ginawa nila. They are just conducting their regular challenges in response sa radio challenge natin,” he added.

The Philippine Navy monitored the area by patrolling around Bajo de Masinloc, moving from the southern sector toward the west and north before proceeding to the eastern side.

A Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft and a Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft also conducted maritime domain awareness flights over Bajo de Masinloc on Friday morning.

“Kaninang umaga, namonitor natin ang friendly units natin—‘yung Cessna fixed wing aircraft ng BFAR nagconduct din ng patrols sa Bajo de Masinloc around 8:00 this morning and around 9:00 merong Philippine Air Force fixed wing aircraft naman na nagconduct din ng patrols sa Bajo de Masinloc. They also conducted radio challenges to all ships around Bajo de Masinloc,” Magura said.