China claims pushing back Philippine navy boat from disputed waters

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Tuesday said it pushed back a Philippine navy boat from disputed waters after it ignored "repeated warnings.”

China’s coast guard vessels took necessary precautions, like monitoring and managing the ship's course, in order to deter the Philippine vessel after several verbal warnings proved ineffective, Beijing-based Global Times reported.

China called upon the Philippines to promptly halt its violations. The China Coast Guard will persist in conducting law enforcement operations to protect its national sovereignty and maritime interests, coast guard spokesman Gan Yu said.

“We urge the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringement. China Coast Guard will continue to carry out law enforcement activities to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in China's jurisdictional waters,” said Gan Yu.

However, the Philippines rejected Beijing’s claim that it had forced a Philippine Navy vessel to leave the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, the Philippines local media reported.

“Even as we’re still verifying that report, so far nothing like that has happened so I think it’s just China’s propaganda,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner in an interview with the local media.