The Philippines’ defence chief has accused Beijing of sending military vessels disguised as fishing boats to block access to areas in the South China Sea, with observers noting that the alleged tactic would add a “new dimension” to Chinese grey-zone activities amid a long-running maritime row with Manila.
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro made the comments during a visit on November 19 to Palawan with US counterpart Lloyd Austin, where both men condemned what they said was “dangerous and escalatory” behaviour by China in the disputed waters.
Beijing’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to the allegations.
“[Beijing has] been more aggressive in denying us access to our exclusive economic zone in the western Philippines. They have really placed a lot of these pseudo-military vessels disguised as coastguard vessels and maritime militia vessels in the areas west of the Philippine Sea,” Teodoro told a press briefing.
In September, the Armed Forces of the Philippines tallied a record-high 251 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea – Manila’s term for waters in the South China Sea that it considers part of its exclusive economic zone – including People’s Liberation Army Navy warships, coastguard vessels, and maritime militia boats.
