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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Navy denies China expelled ship in Bajo de Masinloc

PH Navy denies China expelled ship in Bajo de Masinloc

Published Apr 21, 2025 07:00 am
BRP apolinario Mabini.jpg
BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) (File photo: PPA) 

The Philippine Navy (PN) said there is no truth to reports being circulated by the Chinese Navy that it expelled BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36), a PN corvette, in the waters of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) for illegal intrusion.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS), said what China was trying to do was part of its malign information strategy to shape the opinions of its internal audience.

“These are all part of shaping or malign info operations more likely for their internal audience,” he said on Monday, April 21.

In a statement, the Chinese Navy said BRP Apolinario Mabini “illegally intruded into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao without the approval of Chinese government” on Sunday, April 20, citing the Chinese name it calls Bajo de Masinloc.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command tracked, monitored, and warned off the corvette, according to Senior Captain Zhao Zhiwei, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command.

“We solemnly warn the Philippine side to immediately cease infringement and provocation. Otherwise, all consequences arising therefrom will be borne by the Philippine side,” he noted.

But Trinidad dismissed the Chinese Navy official’s remarks, saying the PN need not to ask permission from the Chinese government if they wish to patrol Bajo de Masinloc as the shoal is located within the Philippines’ maritime zone.

Bajo de Masinloc is located approximately 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales – within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

“Only the Philippine Navy and other Philippine flagged law enforcement ships have the authority and legal bases to challenge any ship within maritime zones,” Trinidad stressed.

Related Tags

Armed Forces of the Philippines Philippine Navy BRP Apolinario Mabini PH-China West Philippine Sea
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