By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday condemned the “aggressive and unsafe” maneuvers of two Chinese navy ships and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines  (AFP) expresses its serious concern over these irresponsible actions by Chinese maritime forces,” it said in a statement. “Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstanding that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability.”

The AFP said that BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) on Monday encountered People’s Liberation-Army Navy vessels Jiangkai II-class frigates (Type 054A) with bow numbers 554 and 573, and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel with bow number 5403 that proceeded to conduct “aggressive and unsafe” maneuvers 11.8 nautical miles (21.9 kilometers) southeast of Scarborough Shoal.

“The Chinese frigate BN 554 was documented tailing PS35 at close range, while BN 573 dangerously crossed its bow in a high-risk maneuver that created the danger of collision,” it said. “China Coast Guard vessel 5403 also attempted to obstruct PS35’s navigational path.”

The Philippine vessel was conducting a routine maritime patrol alongside vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Philippine Coast Guard when the incident happened.

Named after a British ship that was grounded on the atoll nearly three centuries ago, Scarborough Shoal is one of the most contested maritime features in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila have repeatedly clashed.

“These reckless actions not only posed a direct threat to the safety of navigation of PS35, but also violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,” the AFP said.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

China disputed the Philippine account, accusing Manila’s vessel of “attempting to invade” Beijing’s territorial waters, Colonel Tian Junli, a spokesman for the Southern Theater Command, said in a statement.

“(Scarborough Shoal) is China’s inherent territory,” he said. “We urge the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement, provocation and distorted speculation.”

“Theatre troops are on high alert at all times, resolutely defending national sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and resolutely maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea region,” he added.

Separately, Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Tolentino called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a diplomatic protest against China.

“I call once again on the DFA to lodge a strong diplomatic protest and urge our allies and international partners to stand with the Philippines in condemning this latest provocation,” he said in a statement.

He added that Beijing’s actions were reckless and dangerous and a “blatant violation of international maritime norms and an affront to Philippine sovereignty.”

Mr. Tolentino said China’s continued presence and intimidation tactics in the South China Sea are a clear disregard of the rule of law and an attempt to undermine peace and security.

Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a diplomacy instructor at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s School of Diplomacy and Governance, said the Philippines should continue to undertake patrols in the South China Sea to protect the country’s rights.

“Joint patrols can also be undertaken alongside like-minded nations,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “Although this may alarm China, in light of all these incidents, a collective action to respond is certainly necessary.”

He added that diplomatic protests are no longer a viable option for the Philippines since China continues to ignore them. “Therefore, we must rethink our response to these threats, without of course simply turning to the use of hard power.”

Philippine-China ties have worsened in recent years due to repeated encounters between their coast guard ships in the South China Sea over competing claims on the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, among other sea features.

China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea based on a 1940s map, which a United Nations-backed arbitration court in The Hague voided in 2016 for being illegal. Other countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam also have claims in the disputed waterway.