Manila, March 24 -- A ranking naval official said Tuesday that the Philippines does not have to respond violently to a Chinese warship's fire control radar (FCR) scanning of a Philippine Navy (PN) guided missile frigate at the Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last March 7.

"The Rules of Engagement (ROE) are very clear to our commanding officers. Use of force for mission accomplishment is not allowed without infringing on the universal right of self-defense, defense of your men or of others," PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, when asked on what action the BRP Miguel Malvar can undertake following the incident.

Asked what Navy commanders woul...