A Chinese naval vessel pointed its fire control radar at a Philippine Navy (PN) frigate during a patrol near Sabina Shoal in what the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) described as a “provocative” act that raised the risk of confrontation at sea.

In a statement Friday, March 20, the AFP said BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG6) was conducting a maritime and sovereignty patrol within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) last March 7 when it detected a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship with bow number 622 within the vicinity of Sabina Shoal, locally known as Escoda Shoal.

The Chinese vessel approached BRP Miguel Malvar “and later directed its fire control radar toward the Philippine Navy ship,” said AFP spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad.

Sabina Shoal lies within the country’s EEZ but is also within the wider South China Sea, where overlapping claims with China have led to repeated maritime confrontations in recent years.

“This was an alarming and provocative action that created unnecessary risk and could have led to misinterpretation and misunderstanding at sea,” Trinidad added.

The Philippine vessel issued a radio challenge following standard procedures and directed the Chinese ship to “cease such unprofessional and dangerous behavior,” according to Trinidad.

Encounters in the WPS have become more tense as both sides increase patrols in contested areas, including features near Palawan such as Sabina Shoal, which Manila considers part of its continental shelf.

“The PLA Navy vessel eventually stowed its fire control radar, indicating that it heeded the radio challenge and backed down from that particular action,” Trinidad said.

While the incident did not escalate further, the military said it highlights the need for restraint among claimant states.

Trinidad said the AFP continues to assert its rights in the area despite tensions with China, which claims most of the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line, a claim rejected by an international arbitral ruling in 2016.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines reiterates that our ships and aircraft will continue to conduct lawful maritime patrols and sovereignty patrols within our EEZ, consistent with international law and the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” Trinidad said.

“We remain firm in protecting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, while advocating for the peaceful and rules-based resolution of disputes,” he added.