MANILA, Philippines – May naispatan na Chinese warship at dalawang barko mula Beijing sa karagatan ng Batanes sa gitna ng isinasagawang bilateral war games sa pagitan Manila at Washington.
Sinabi ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) na alas-10:45 ng umaga noong Mayo 1, naispatan ng BRP Melchora Aquino ang People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessel ng China at dalawang iba pang Chinese-flagged vessels sa bisinidad ng Itbayat, Batanes kung saan isinasagawa ang Balikatan Exercise.
Ayon kay Balilo, nag-radio challenge ang BRP Melchora Aquino at kalaunan ay umalis din ang barko ng China.
“Our BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) engaged in radio challenges with the two unidentified Chinese-flagged vessels and later saw them leaving the area. While the PLA Navy ship, which was positions farther away that the two other Chinese ships, had also left the area,” sabi ni PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo sa isang pahayag. Jocelyn Tabangcura-Domenden
