THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rejected Beijing’s claim that its vessels were at fault in the August 11 collision in Bajo de Masinloc, even as the United States expressed hope the incident could help deescalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
China’s Ministry of National Defense earlier accused “multiple PCG vessels” of illegally entering Chinese territorial waters and conducting “dangerous maneuvers” that led to the collision with China Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army Navy ships.
Beijing also warned Manila to stop what it called “provocations.”
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela dismissed the allegations, saying the Philippines bears no responsibility for the incident.
“It’s not the Philippine Coast Guard or the Philippine government that escalates tension in the West Philippine Sea. The reason why tension is rising is because of their dangerous actions and illegal presence within our exclusive economic zone,” he said.
Tarriela stressed that if there is one country heightening tensions, “that is the People’s Republic of China,” pointing to the deployment of CCG vessels and PLA Navy warships in Philippine waters.
He also said the PCG has received no official reports from Beijing regarding alleged injuries or deaths from the incident. The Department of Foreign Affairs has likewise reiterated its demand for compensation from China for damage caused by an earlier collision in the Spratlys in June 2024.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson expressed regret over the latest clash and voiced hope it could mark “a watershed event” that might reduce aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. She confirmed that the US deployed two warships to the region as part of its ongoing freedom of navigation operations.
Carlson also praised the professionalism of the PCG, saying it continues to operate “very professionally in the high seas and in waters where they enjoy sovereign rights,” despite what she described as “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and offensive activities on the part of China.”
