THE National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported Sunday that a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 'encountered aggressive and dangerous maneuvers' from at least eight Chinese maritime forces while on its way from Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal to Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Hasa-Hasa Shoal is located 60 nautical miles from Palawan, while Escoda Shoal is about 110 nautical miles away. Both shoals are well within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).