Pirate Boats Escape After Long Gunbattle

A navy patrol boat exchanged heavy gunfire with two pirate ships for 1-1/2 hours in the high seas, but the pirates got away.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it considered the incident “a matter of law enforcement without political significance,” but described the two ships as “intruders” in Philippine territorial waters.

An initial military report of Monday’s clash said the ships were flying Chinese flags and that some foreign crewmen were injured in the clash. But the navy said Friday it was still verifying the identity of the vessels.

In Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry said the clash “has nothing to do with the Chinese side.”

Countries in the region have grown nervous about a growing Chinese military presence and what is perceived as Beijing’s increasing use of military threats.

De Villa said the pirates had attacked ships traveling between China and Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base west of Manila. The area, about 70 miles west of Manila, is frequented by Filipino and foreign pirates, the navy said.

The navy said a gunboat on anti-piracy patrol spotted the two vessels 12 miles off Capones Island near northwestern Luzon and fired warning shots.

The two ships sped off, but the navy boat pursued and engaged the ships in a 90-minute gunbattle, the navy said in its statement. There was no reason given for the delay in reporting the clash.

De Villa said there have been two previous incidents this month involving suspected pirates in the area, one of which involved shooting.