Crew members assigned to the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Sindangan say they knew their mission would involve facing off against huge, numerous, intimidating Chinese vessels in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
“My heart beats up every time a clash is imminent,” which is virtually every voyage, said a senior officer, who asked not to be identified citing security reasons.
“You know what will happen,” added a 30-year old female crew member who dreams of being a captain one day. “But it’s part of our job.”
The 44-metre (144-foot) Sindangan is on the front lines of Manila’s “transparency initiative”, one the nation’s 62 coastguard patrol and 90 naval warfare vessels engaged in the showdown between the Philippines and China over sovereignty. Beijing has an arsenal of some 142 coastguard and 370 naval ships to draw on.
The initiative started two years ago after a Chinese vessel allegedly aimed a “military grade” laser at the BRP Malapascua and temporarily blinded crew members. Beijing said the ship was merely taking measurements of the Philippine vessel with a “green light pointer” in defence of China’s sovereignty.
Under the initiative, clashes, dangerous manoeuvres and near-misses are videotaped. Official complaints are then registered with Beijing and the footage widely disseminated.
Manila in December reported it had filed 193 diplomatic protests since July 1, 2022, most delivered since the initiative was launched.
In recent years, the Sindangan has been shadowed virtually every time it sails, but has avoided getting hit by Chinese water cannons or suffering crew injuries.
“You have to be one step ahead,” the senior officer said proudly, standing in its mess hall, lined with hard hats and safety vests for quick access. “Always.”
