Chinese military disguised as fishing boats? Philippine defence chief raises concerns

Latest comments also spark espionage fears as lawmaker claims Chinese intelligence officers may be working in to-be-banned offshore gaming hubs

Reading Time:3 minutes

Chinese militia vessels pictured near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:28am, 25 Nov 2024Updated: 3:51pm, 25 Nov 2024

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.

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro last week visited the strategic Palawan province. Photo: EPA-EFE

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.