PCG challenges China ships off Mindoro, Batanes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has challenged a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel near Cabra Island in Occidental Mindoro and tracked a Chinese research ship off Batanes.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua and an aircraft were deployed on Sunday to drive away a Chinese ship 35 nautical miles northwest of Cabra Island, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela said.

Multiple radio challenges were issued by the PCG aircraft, but CCG-3303 did not respond, Tarriela said.

Three People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warships near the island were shadowed by the PCG.

"The presence of CCG-3303 and PLA-N warships is likely connected to the Chinese naval shadowing of the ADMM-Plus experts' working group on maritime security joint cooperative activity," Tarriela said, referring to the activity of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus at Subic Bay.