The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed ''serious concern'' on the recent harassment of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels that tailed and conducted dangerous maneuver against a Philippine Navy ship patrolling the West Philippine Sea.

Col. Xerxes Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, said Philippine Navy ship BRP Emilio Jacinto, was conducting routine and lawful maritime patrol operations in support of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) when it was harassed by two Chinese PLA-N vessels Jiangkai II-class frigates with bow numbers 554 and 573, and a China Coast Guard vessel 5403 on Monday.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines expresses its serious concern over these irresponsible actions by Chinese maritime forces. Such threatening and provocative conduct can lead to misunderstanding that may escalate tensions and impact regional stability," he said.

"The AFP remains steadfast in defending the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines in its vast maritime domain, including its territorial seas in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international and domestic law and in pursuit of the rules-based order in the maritime domain," he added.

Trinidad said BRP Emilio Jacinto was approximately 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc when it encountered aggressive and unsafe manuevers by the Chinese vessels.

"The Chinese frigate BN 554 was documented tailing PS35 at close range, while BN 573 dangerously crossed its bow in a high-risk maneuver that created the danger of collision. China Coast Guard vessel 5403 also attempted to obstruct PS35’s navigational path," he said.

"These reckless actions not only posed a direct threat to the safety of navigation of PS35, but also violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)," he added.

Trinidad said the AFP "commend the professionalism, discipline and restraint of the Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Emilio Jacinto".

Navy spokesman for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said based on the video taken by the Philippine Navy during the incident the Chinese vessels reached the closest distance of 25 to 50 meters.

He also noted that it is not the first time that Chinese PLAN harassed Philippine Navy vessel noting that it also happened around two years ago.

"No this is not the first time that they do that to our gray ship. Two years ago they also crossed the bow of our vessel," he added. Robina Asido/DMS