PCG Vessel Drives Away China Warship Off Palawan

A patrol vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently shooed away a Chinese Navy warship found near Marie Louise Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

- Evelyn Macairan, Alexis Romero

In a statement, PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said Chinese Navy Warship 189, bearing the flag of China and with Chinese markings, was found near Marie Louise Bank on July 13. The bank is located some 147 nautical miles off the coast of El Nido in Palawan.

The PCG’s BRP Cabra issued a radio challenge to the foreign vessel and monitored its movements via radio. It also approached the Chinese ship to better view its activities in Philippine waters.

But when the Chinese vessel did not give any response, BRP Cabra’s Commander Erwin Tolentino used a different method to issue a verbal challenge – the Long Range Acoustic Device.

It was only at this juncture that the foreign vessel started moving out of Marie Louise Bank.