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A vessel belonging to the China Coast Guard collided with a Philippine boat carrying out a fuel distribution mission in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said, describing it as the latest confrontation in disputed waters between the two countries.
The “BRP Datu Magat Salamat,” operated by the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, was distributing fuel to Filipino fishermen approximately 54 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan province.
The PCG said the Chinese coast guard vessel carried out several maneuvers and struck the Philippine vessel. The collision damaged the supply vessel’s railings and deck structures, but no injuries were reported.
The Philippine Coast Guard described the incident as a deliberate collision. Video released by the agency shows crew members saying “brace for impact” shortly before the collision. Photographs taken afterward showed bent and detached railings, damaged metal supports and debris scattered across the deck.
Both sides trade accusations
The China Coast Guard said it had conducted a law-enforcement operation near Sabina Shoal on Friday. According to the Chinese side, the Philippine vessel ignored repeated warnings, deliberately altered course and suddenly accelerated to cut across the bow of the Chinese vessel.
The China Coast Guard said its vessel had acted professionally and that the Philippine side was responsible for the collision.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton condemned what he described as the deliberate collision by the China Coast Guard vessel with the Philippine ship in a post on the social media platform X. He said the Philippines’ allies continued to act professionally in the face of what he called dangerous and destabilizing conduct.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines condemned the US Embassy’s position. It accused Washington of supporting what Beijing described as Philippine violations and provocations in the waters near Sabina Shoal.
In July, Manila accused Beijing of using water cannons against government vessels near Scarborough Shoal and of striking a Philippine Navy serviceman on the head with a wooden club during a confrontation at Second Thomas Shoal.
