Manila hits dangerous, aggressive, escalatory actions
Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels sustained serious damage Monday in pre-dawn collisions with Chinese vessels near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims in the South China Sea.
National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the damaged PCG ships – the BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) – were tasked to resupply personnel deployed in Patag and Lawak Islands.
“These dangerous maneuvers resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG vessels,” Malaya said.
Malaya, who is also National Security Council assistant director general, said the first incident took place at 3:24 a.m. as the BRP Cape Engaño was subjected to aggressive maneuvers by CCGV-3104, resulting in a collision with the starboard beam of the vessel, creating a hole in the deck with an approximate diameter of five inches.
The second incident took place at 3:40 a.m. and involved the BRP Bagacay, which was rammed twice on both her port and starboard sides by CCGV-21551, leading to minor structural damage.
“Despite these incidents, both PCG vessels remain committed to and shall proceed with their mission of delivering essential supplies to personnel stationed on Patag and Lawak Islands. The PCG stands firm in its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our maritime domain while addressing any threats to our national interests,” Malaya said.
China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu, for his part, accused the Philippine vessels of acting “in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a glancing collision.”
“The China Coast Guard took control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law,” he said.
Beijing accused Manila’s ships of “illegally” entering its waters without permission and having “deliberately collided” with the Chinese ship.
“We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement and provocations,” spokesperson Gan said.
Malaya, however, disputed the Chinese account, saying “it was not (BRP Bagacay) who rammed it, it’s the other way around.”
“The physical evidence proves this,” Malaya added.
Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Philippine vessels’ actions had “seriously violated China’s sovereignty,” adding China “will continue to take resolute and forceful measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
The US embassy in the Philippines condemned China’s “dangerous maneuvers” in the West Philippine Sea.
“The US stands with the PH in condemning the China Coast Guard’s dangerous maneuvers near Sabina Shoal that endangered lives and caused damage to two @CoastGuardPH vessels,” US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in a post on X.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Margareth Padilla said: “We strongly condemn the aggressive actions of the China Coast Guard, which not only endanger the lives of PCG personnel but also violate international maritime laws, particularly the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino slammed the ramming incident that happened within the Philippine EEZ.
“Such acts of aggression are unacceptable,” Tolentino said.
Senator Grace Poe added: We will continue to stand behind our Coast Guard in protesting and exposing these unlawful activities to send a message that such bullying will always be met with pushback.”
At the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez condemned the aggressive actions of the China Coast Guard.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the reckless and illegal maneuvers executed by the China Coast Guard against our Philippine Coast Guard vessels. This brazen and unwarranted aggression resulted in dangerous collisions that could have led to tragic consequences,” Romualdez said.
“These recent events are not mere incidents but part of a troubling pattern of behavior that escalates tensions and undermines the rule of law in the West Philippine Sea. It is incumbent upon us, as a nation, to stand firm in defending our rights and protecting our maritime domain,” he added.
China and the Philippines have had repeated confrontations in the waters in recent months, including around the BRP Sierra Madre grounded years ago by Manila on Ayungin Shoal.
Escoda Shoal is located 140 kilometers west of Palawan and about 1,200 kilometres from Hainan island, the closest Chinese landmass.
Manila said it was the first hostile action by Beijing against it near Escoda Shoal, where both sides have stationed coast guard vessels in recent months and where the Philippines fears China is about to build an artificial island.
Analysts have said Beijing’s aim is to push eastwards from Ayungin Shoal toward the neighboring Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, encroaching on Manila’s exclusive economic zone and normalizing Chinese control of the area.
The situation has echoes of 2012, when Beijing took control of Scarborough Shoal, another strategic feature in the South China Sea closest to the Philippines. With AFP
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Chinese, Philippine ships collide near hotspot reef in South China Sea
