PLAN Warships Shadow Philippine Vessels at Scarborough for First Time

Three CCG vessels and two PLAN warships harassed BRP Datu Pagbuaya at Scarborough Shoal on December 4—the first time PLAN warships had directly participated in harassment operations at Scarborough Shoal. Water cannons fired at 6:30 AM; a CCG vessel sideswiped the Philippine ship; second water cannon at 6:55 AM. The Philippines described the incident as the largest encounter at Scarborough since the Sabina Shoal standoff.