ABS-CBN News Team should produce Video of 2 Houbei class Boats chasing them

Screenshot of the Video Footage showing a Houbei class Missile Boat passing by the ABS-CBN News Team

The ABS-CBN News Team recently went to Ayungin Shoal (also known as the Second Thomas Reef) on their own, reportedly to look at the situation there. This is again another DISPUTED area, both China and Vietnam are also claiming it. 

‘Controversial Area’

China calls it Renai Jiao while Vietnam calls it as Bai Co May. Take Note, that area has always been a flashpoint because as early as 2014, China had already been blocking Vessels from going to that area. 

And even back then, Anti-China former President Benigno Aquino Jr. nor the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) Partner the United States (US) were unable to do anything about it. 

So the area is clearly controversial, and still ABS-CBN insisted on going there. What were they expecting, that China would just magically allow them to pass without being challenged when they had already done so in the past? 

‘Houbei Claim’

The most interesting part of ABS-CBN’s journey there was how they were supposedly chased by Type 022 Houbei class Missile Boats of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). 

As per the claim of News Reporter Chiara Zambrano on various Videos of the Incident, they were reportedly chased by TWO of the Houbeis for around half an Hour, with one Houbei at each side of their Vessel. 

Below is a Video with her account of the Incident, it starts at around the 2:20 mark: 

Civilian boat na may sakay na news team sa West PH Sea hinabol ng Chinese vessels | TV Patrol by ABS-CBN News

And here is a Transcript of what she exactly said: “Naghiwalay sila magkabilang banda sila ng Barko o ng Lantsa namin, at siguro me kalahating oras kaming sinusundan nitong dalawang Missile Boat na ito (They separated and went to each side of our Vessel, and these 2 Missile Boats followed us for maybe half an Hour)”.

‘Denial and Evidence’

However, I have been looking at the Video Footages that they publicly released, and I couldn’t find any showing 2 Houbeis on either side of their Vessel. 

In fact, the only Video Footages they have shown publicly was the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) Vessel following them, and THEN one Houbei Boat passing by.  

The Chinese Research Organization the South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI) has dismissed the Incident and pointed out that the PLAN are not involved in Law Enforcement in the South China Sea (SCS).  

I am sure that the ABS-CBN News Crew several Cameras including Professional Grade ones, so if 2 Houbeis went to the sides of their Vessel I am sure they would’ve or should’ve taken footages of it since it is a lot more interesting than just a Houbei passing by. 

The Boats supposedly followed them for 30 minutes, they had a lot of time and plenty of opportunity to take footages of those.

And yet they haven’t produced that Video or Videos, as of now the only evidence of the Houbeis following them is Zambrano’s Testimonies when interviewed. 

The only Video evidence of what happened was that of CCG Boat following them, then a Houbei passing by. 

‘Parting Shot’

I think the ABS-CBN News Crew should show to the Public the Video or Videos of the Houbeis following them, specifically when Zambrano said that they were on either side of their Vessel for half an Hour. 

If they say they cannot show it in Public or unable to take the Videos, then I won’t believe their Testimonies. They had the Resources (Professional Video Cameras) and Time (half an Hour) to do it, and those are better shots so there is no excuse for them to not take it. 

If there is no Video evidence of the 2 Houbeis, then I am more inclined to believe that a Houbei passed by, and then Zambrano embellished her Report by saying that 2 of these followed them on either side for 30 minutes. 

But I will give them the benefit of the doubt, that is why I am asking for the ABS-CBN News Team to release the Videos showing exactly what Zambrano said as soon as possible.

SOURCES: 

* China-Philippines Navy spat captured on Camera {Archived Link}

* Official SCS Probing Initiative Twitter Account Tweet, 04/09/21 - 1520H {Archived Link}

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