China Issues Counter-Statement Blaming Philippines for BRP Benguet Near-Collision

China's People's Liberation Army issued an official counter-statement on March 28 regarding the March 25 near-collision between BRP Benguet and PLAN frigate 532 near Pag-asa Island. Beijing claimed a PLA Navy ship was conducting a 'routine patrol near Zhubi Reef' (Subi Reef) when a Philippine vessel 'ignored repeated radio warnings and altered course at close range,' characterizing Manila's actions as 'dangerous and unprofessional.' The statement inverted the Philippine AFP's account, in which PLAN frigate 532 was accused of making an intentional unsafe maneuver against BRP Benguet. Both the AFP and the PLA published versions of the incident, with no independent verification available. The Philippines' Western Command (WESCOM) confirmed BRP Benguet's account was accurate and said China's statement was 'self-serving and false.'