MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) reported that a Chinese corvette aimed its fire control radar (FCR) at the guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6) in the West Philippine Sea on March 7.

“While underway at (the vicinity of) Sabina Shoal within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, Chinese PLA (People’s Liberation Army)-Navy ship with bow number 622 Jiangkai class corvette aimed its FCR towards BRP Miguel Malvar, exercising freedom of navigation and adhering to international law of order in the WPS,” the Naval Defense Command (NDC) said in a Facebook post Thursday night.

The NDC described the use of targeting radar against a Philippine Navy vessel as an “alarming and escalatory act,” noting that it reflects a pattern of coercion that threatens lives, disrupts lawful operations, and challenges the sovereignty of coastal states.

The incident occurred as BRP Miguel Malvar was en route to the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales, after participating in the 3rd International Fleet Review and Multilateral Navy Exercise in India from Feb. 18 to 26. The ship detected “emissions” from the Chinese corvette indicating it was targeting the FCR, prompting the Filipino vessel to issue a radio challenge and instruct the Chinese ship to leave the area.

A ranking Navy official described the action as “alarming and provocative,” saying it created unnecessary risks and could have led to misunderstandings at sea.

“BRP Miguel Malvar immediately issued a radio challenge in accordance with standard procedures in the WPS and directed the foreign vessel to cease such unprofessional and dangerous behavior. The PLA Navy vessel eventually stowed its fire control radar, indicating that it heeded the radio challenge and backed down from that particular action,” PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

At the time, the Philippine ship was conducting a maritime sovereignty patrol near Sabina Shoal. Trinidad emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue lawful maritime patrols and sovereignty operations within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“We remain firm in protecting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS, while advocating for the peaceful and rules-based resolution of disputes,” he added.