China, Philippines in Scarborough Shoal naval encounter ahead of US joint drills

The Chinese navy said it expelled a Philippine warship that “illegally intruded” into the waters of a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Sunday, hours before the start of Washington and Manila’s annual joint military drills.

The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command said on Sunday night that the BRP Apolinario Mabini, a Jacinto-class patrol vessel in the Philippine Navy, was challenged near Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by Beijing and Manila, earlier that day.

The shoal, which is known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, has been in Beijing’s actual control since 2012.

Command spokesman Senior Colonel Zhao Zhiwei said the Philippine frigate “illegally entered China’s territorial waters of Huangyan Island” without the approval of the Chinese government.

“[We] organised forces to track, monitor, warn and expel [the vessel] in accordance with the law … we urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement and provocation, or it will bear all the consequences,” he said.

In response, a Philippine Navy spokesman reiterated Manila’s sovereignty claim, telling GMA News that Philippine forces “have the authority to challenge” any ship within its maritime zones.