Philippine military chief denies navy ship driven away by Chinese coast guard in disputed shoal

MANILA The Philippines’ military chief has denied its navy vessel was driven away by the Chinese coast guard in Scarborough Shoal, saying it was part of China’s propaganda.

“We are having it verified but nothing like that happened. In our view, it’s Chinese propaganda,” said Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner Jr.

China said its coast guard had driven away a Philippine navy gunboat on Tuesday after it intruded into waters around the

Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea

, according to an official statement from China.

The coast guard said it took “necessary measures”, such as forcing the gunboat out and controlling its route, after repeated dissuasion and warnings from the Chinese side were ignored.

China claims it has

“indisputable sovereignty” over the shoal

, which it calls Huangyan Island, and the adjacent waters.

In September, the Philippine coast guard said it had

cut a 300m floating barrier

installed by China that blocked access to the hotly disputed area which Beijing has controlled for more than a decade.

“We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement,” said coast guard spokesman Gan Yu, adding that it was a serious violation of international law.

The occurrence comes a day after China warned the Philippines against further “provocations” at an atoll in the South China Sea, saying such acts had violated Chinese territorial sovereignty, contravened international law and disrupted regional peace and stability.

Ties between the Philippines and China

have deteriorated of late, in large part due to overtures from the Philippines to deepen defence ties with Washington, including offering expanded access to Philippine troops, ostensibly for training and humanitarian purposes. REUTERS