4 Chinese Ships Shadow, Block Philippine Vessel in Latest South China Sea Standoff

The Chinese coast guard ships allegedly crossed the bow of the Philippine vessel twice during the encounter.

A Chinese coast guard ship blocks a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' (BFAR) ship as it nears the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, on Sept. 22, 2023. Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images

At least four Chinese coast guard ships shadowed a Philippine ship on more than 40 occasions as they attempted to block it from patrolling near the Scarborough Shoal last week, the Philippine coast guard (PCG) said.

The PCG said it deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua for a nine-day maritime patrol around the Scarborough Shoal on Feb. 1 to assist and distribute food to 100 Filipino fishermen operating in the area.