By Liz Lagniton | 2026-03-25

The Philippine military accused a Chinese naval ship of directing its fire control radar against a Philippine vessel on patrol in the South China Sea in early March, calling the move "alarming" and "provocative."

BRP Miguel Malvar, a guided missile frigate, was conducting a maritime patrol near Sabina Shoal within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on March 7, according to a Philippine naval statement released March 20.

Aiming fire control radar at a ship

A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel approached and aimed its fire control radar at the Philippine ship -- an action widely regarded as a precursor to weapon engagement and a potential indicator of imminent threat.

The Philippine navy said it issued a radio challenge in line with standard procedures, which prompted the Chinese vessel to cease the action and withdraw its radar. The situation did not escalate further.

The maneuver posed unnecessary risks, could have led to serious miscalculation at sea and underscores the volatility of encounters in contested waters, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said. He described the incident as "alarming" and "provocative," the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

The West Philippine Sea is Manila's name for the part of the South China Sea within its EEZ.

The patrol was lawful and took place within the Philippine EEZ, where Manila exercises sovereign rights under international law, the navy said. Routine maritime operations will continue, it added.

'Like pointing your gun'

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on March 24 praised the crew's response.

"When that happens, what the Chinese did is like pointing your gun at someone. And we called them out for that," Brawner said, according to GMA News.

The confrontation underscored "the importance of restraint and adherence to international law," the Philippine navy said on Facebook.

Contested waters

Sabina Shoal, about 150km west of Palawan, lies within the Philippines' EEZ and is a key maritime area near other contested features, including Second Thomas Shoal. Its proximity to major sea lanes has made it a frequent site of encounters between Philippine and Chinese vessels.

The latest incident comes amid continuing friction between Manila and Beijing over competing claims in the South China Sea, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's sweeping claims.

Encounters between Chinese and Philippine vessels have become more frequent over time, ranging from close maneuvers to the use of water cannons and blocking tactics.

Rejecting Beijing's narrative

Philippine military officials continue, accordingly, to voice a hard line against China.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on March 20 said it is not involved in any proposed maritime cooperation agreement with China.

"As far as the PCG is concerned ... we are not involved in crafting this coast guard cooperation with China, specifically regarding plans for joint patrols," said Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela.

His denial came one day after the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines broached the idea of reviving now-defunct cooperation between the two countries' coast guards.

The Department of National Defense (DND) rejected Beijing's criticism of patrols near features such as Scarborough Shoal, insisting operations are lawful.

"The real farce is the act of calling for peaceful engagement while the fully armed and heftily funded PLAN is harassing our fisherfolk who are merely trying to make a living in their traditional fishing grounds," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.

Philippine patrols will continue to safeguard sovereign rights and maintain stability in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's military officials say.