BRP Diego Silang in Rare Direct Naval Stand-off With Four PLA Warships Near Scarborough Shoal

Philippine Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang (Miguel Malvar-class, FFG-07), fresh off the 4th PH-US Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, encountered a single Chinese naval vessel and then four PLA warships in a rare, direct naval stand-off approximately 124 nautical miles off the Philippine coast near Scarborough Shoal on Saturday, June 21, 2026 — the same day Manila concluded Exercise Salaknib 2026. Chinese and Philippine naval personnel exchanged radio challenges ordering each other to leave the area; despite being outnumbered, the Philippine frigate continued its patrol and launched its onboard AW109 helicopter while underway at 18 knots. China accused the helicopter of an unauthorized 'airspace' incursion. No casualties or damage were reported and Beijing issued no public statement. Analysts called it the most direct PH-China military face-off near Scarborough in recent months.