00:00 Not only the ships that were obstructing the Philippine ships were monitored in the West Philippine Sea
00:09 in the midst of China's harassment.
00:11 Six Chinese warships, navy aircraft, and more than ten ships were around
00:18 according to the AFP Western Command.
00:21 Joseph Moro was on the scene.
00:27 It was around 4 p.m. on March 4, when the resupply mission team approached Sabina Shoal
00:32 where the Chinese navy's helicopter was seen circling.
00:35 It was surrounded by the PRP Sindangan and the PRP Cabra
00:38 which were escorting two resupply ships, the Unai Same 1 and Unai Same 4.
00:42 This helicopter is also those helicopters that we see in Bajo Dimasinlok whenever we patrol that area.
00:50 So we know for a fact that this is a PLA Navy helicopter.
00:53 They made five passes over Unai Same 4.
00:57 On the fifth pass, they were closer than usual
01:01 and they hovered a little bit, taking pictures or showing some interest in Unai Same 4.
01:08 It's 6 a.m. and the China Coast Guard 21555 is blocking the way.
01:13 These types of Chinese ships are the ones that are being blocked by the PRP Sindangan
01:21 so that the PRP Sierra Madre cannot enter the Ayungin Shoal.
01:26 When the China Coast Guard was blocked by the PRP Sindangan
01:35 and the two China Coast Guard were helped to bomb the water,
01:39 the Unai Same 4,
01:45 an unknown aircraft was hovering above.
01:48 Five Chinese ships were also being monitored by the China Coast Guard,
01:52 12 Chinese militia vessels, three Chinese navy ships, and three Chinese warships.
01:58 Normally, we only see Chinese Coast Guard vessels during resupply missions.
02:03 And the Chinese warships, they usually stay out of range.
02:10 But yesterday, we were surprised to see six Chinese warships in the area.
02:15 Aside from the six Chinese militia vessels, the only ones monitoring the area were the two Chinese navy planes.
02:23 We were clearly outnumbered.
02:25 One day before the bombing, a US Navy ship was spotted
02:30 but the AFP Western Command did not take action.
02:33 That's the usual, the usual, freedom of navigation patrols.
02:36 According to the United Nations Convention and the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS,
02:40 any country has the freedom of navigation in the high seas because no one can be a slave to it.
02:46 The spokesperson of the US Embassy said that America will fly,
02:51 will sail, and will operate wherever the international law permits.
02:55 From Palawan, for GMA Integrated News, Joseph Morong, for 24 Hours.
03:00 (music)
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