The Chinese Coast Guard intervened in the Philippine Navy in its effort to retrieve the “unidentified floating object” drifting 800 yards off Pag-asa Island and forcefully took it, the Armed Forces of the Philippines'(AFP) Western Command reported Monday.
In a statement, Wescom Commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said personnel of the Naval Station Emilio Liwanag (NSEL) team spotted the object through the long-range camera at around 6:45 am on Sunday.
The NSEL team then proceeded to the area for ocular inspection.
"As observed by the team while enroute, the object was drifting towards Pag-asa Islands Cay 1 sandbar due to strong waves and currents," Carlos said.
The group immediately retrieved the object and securely tied it to their rubber boat.
However, as the team was towing the object, the Wescom Commander said the Chinese vessel with Bow Number 5203 approached and blocked their path twice.
The Chinese vessel then deployed its Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB).
“The said CCGB RHIB forcefully retrieved said floating object by cutting the towing line attached to the NSEL rubber boat. CCGV RHIB then towed it back to CCGV5203,” Carlos said.
No members of the NSEL team were reported hurt, the Wescom Commander said.
Carlos said the incident has been reported to the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea for appropriate action.
