Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said that the near-collision between a Philippine Navy warship and a Chinese warship near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea marks an escalation.
In a video released by the AFP Western Command (WESCOM), the Philippine Navy’s BRP Benguet was seen successfully avoiding a possible collision after a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) Type 054A missile frigate (Hull 532) carried out a dangerous maneuver during an operation near Pag-asa Island on March 25.
According to Trinidad, the incident qualifies as an escalation, especially as warship-to-warship encounters had recently eased.
He described the incident as a “coercive” and “aggressive action,” as well as “unprofessional” and “unsafe.”
Trinidad stressed that such actions have no place in a civilized world.
(PHOTO COURTESY: WESCOM)
