China issued a radio alert, warning the Philippines that any further advance would be at their own risk, prompting Manila to quickly order a retreat!
According to tracking of Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals, from June 14 to 15, multiple Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessels departed Manila Bay, traveling northward along the western waters of Luzon Island, reaching areas near the Babuyan Islands and the Bashi Strait before returning southward. During the same period, China Coast Guard vessel 5304 also conducted north-south patrols in waters west of Luzon Island and east of the nine-dash line.
Additionally, according to a report by Philippine media on June 16, the Philippine Navy disclosed data indicating that from June 9 to 15, they had detected a total of 26 Chinese vessels in South China Sea waters, including 19 China Coast Guard ships and 7 Chinese naval vessels.
As Philippine vessels 9702 and 4407 just left Manila Bay and sailed out to 36 nautical miles offshore, they encountered China Coast Guard ship 5304.
What is vessel 5304? It is an 818-class patrol ship with a displacement exceeding 3,000 tons, equipped with a 76-mm gun and a 30-mm gun. Its tonnage surpasses that of the Philippine vessel 9702, and its firepower decisively overwhelms it.
After the encounter, China Coast Guard ship 5304 immediately closed in, closely monitoring the Philippine vessels. This move was clearly a warning: if the Philippines persists in infringing upon China’s interests, all consequences will be borne by them alone.
Subsequently, the two Philippine vessels continued heading north, reaching the vicinity of Cape Boyeador, then swiftly turned around and headed southward. In response, China Coast Guard ship 5304 also turned around and continued following behind for surveillance.
The "northern mission to the Bashi Strait" thus turned into a "return-to-base sprint right outside their doorstep." Clearly, Manila backed down.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868570597587224/
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