Chinese Coast Guard ship chases Filipino civilian vessel on maritime patrol

A China Coast Guard ship chased a Filipino civilian vessel conducting maritime patrols in the South China Sea.

Video shows CCG ship 5101 appearing to shadow the BRP Datu Pagbuaya from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sailing in Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea on September 26.

West Philippine Sea is the term used by the Philippine government to refer to parts of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone.

Just a day later, a Chinese missile boat reportedly tailed another BFAR ship, the BRP Datu Romapenet, in the Half Moon Shoal around 60 nautical miles off the Philippine island Palawan.

Security analyst Dr. Chester Cabalza, director and founder of International Development and Security Cooperation, said the recent encounters were meant to intimidate the Philippines.

Speaking to local media, he said: 'This incident is alarming especially because it was a missile ship that shadowed our BFAR ship. We know that when the Chinese use a grey ship like the missile ship we just saw, they are showing their teeth.

'It was the first time that we spotted this Houbei missile ship in the West Philippine Sea. This is uncommon because China usually sends Coast Guard ships.'

The same missile ship reportedly also aimed a laser at a BFAR aircraft flying over Half Moon Shoal on September 27.

National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesman Undersecretary Alexander Lopez described the act as 'irresponsible, dangerous and provocative' as the laser may affect the pilot's focus.

He added that the NMC will submit reports to the Department of Foreign Affairs to take diplomatic action.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries