Aggressive and Unsafe Maneuvers by Chinese Vessels Near Bajo de Masinloc

On 5 May 2025, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), while conducting routine and lawful maritime patrol operations in support of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), encountered aggressive and unsafe maneuvers by two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessels Jiangkai II-class frigates (Type 054A) with bow numbers 554 and 573, and a China Coast Guard vessel 5403. The incident occurred approximately 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc.