US condemns China’s dangerous maneuvers in Ayungin

MANILA, Philippines - The United States condemned yesterday China's maritime forces for "dangerous" maneuvers that risked collision with a Philippine vessel, and the use of "escalatory tactics" that threaten freedom of navigation.

"The United States strongly condemns the use of dangerous blocking and other irresponsible maneuvers by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) that threatened a collision with a Philippine vessel and prevented a lawful and routine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) on Sept. 24," US Ambassador Lee Lipton said in a statement.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accused China on Friday of obstructing a resupply mission to troops on board the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, saying dangerous maneuvers by Chinese vessels "put Filipino personnel at risk" and prevented the resupply mission from being completed.