The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said it is verifying reports of alleged Chinese fatalities from Monday’s collision between a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel and a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship in Bajo de Masinloc.
“Still checking,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a message.
Trinidad was responding to questions after Senator Ping Lacson claimed that two CCG personnel were allegedly killed in the incident.
“The WPS collision between a PLAN ship and a CCG vessel, while chasing a PCG vessel on a mission to resupply our fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc, reportedly killed two CCG crew members,” Lacson said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“While we are proud of a skillful maneuver by our PCG captain, we also mourn the senseless loss of lives of the CCG personnel,” he added.
Maritime expert and former US Air Force official Ray Powell said Chinese ships were conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations near Bajo de Masinloc.
“At least one CCG vessel and eight militia ships have been conducting SAR operations 15 to 25 nautical miles east of the shoal since yesterday afternoon’s mishap with a PLAN destroyer,” Powell said.
“The damaged vessel, CCG 3104, has been automatic identification system-‘dark’ since before the incident,” he added.
Trinidad said the pattern of the Chinese vessels’ movements suggested that at least one crew member may have fallen into the sea.
“These are patterns used generally when searching in the ocean, indicative of a man-overboard situation,” he explained.
On Monday, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) headed to the disputed Bajo de Masinloc to distribute aid to local fishermen as part of the Kadiwa program. Several Chinese ships reportedly harassed Philippine vessels by using water cannons, performing dangerous maneuvers, and shadowing.
According to the PCG, the PLAN guided missile destroyer Guilin (164) and CCG vessel 3104 collided while chasing PCG patrol vessel BRP Suluan.
Video released by the PCG shows the CCG cutter with a crumpled bow, deeming it “unseaworthy.” The Guilin’s port side bore visible damage and scrape marks.
Meanwhile, the flagpole on the Suluan’s stern was twisted in the near-collision — indicating how close the patrol vessel came to being rammed by the 7,500-ton destroyer.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday maintained Beijing’s claim to the WPS, saying it had to do what was “necessary to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law.”
“The Philippines’ moves seriously infringed upon China’s sovereignty and rights and interests, and seriously harmed peace and stability at sea. These moves are of a malign nature,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
“China urges the Philippines to stop the infringement and provocative activities at once and refrain from challenging China’s firm resolve to safeguard our lawful rights and interests,” Lin added.
In a press briefing, Trinidad was asked about possible Chinese retaliation or a change of tactics after the incident.
“The AFP thrives on plans. We plan, we prepare, we don’t anticipate. Whatever situation arises, your AFP can respond appropriately,” he said.
Trinidad noted that the Philippine military’s use of force is not authorized except for self-defense.
“The rules of engagement are given by higher headquarters to govern whether force is allowed for mission accomplishment or not,” he said. “The guidance has been very clear in conducting our aerial missions, patrols, maritime patrols, and air surveillance flights — the use of force is not authorized except for self-defense situations.”
According to Trinidad, there was a spike in the number of Chinese vessels not only in Bajo de Masinloc but also in the northern islands.
“There was a noted spike in the number of research vessels and CCG ships in the northern islands, Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, and Bajo de Masinloc,” he said.
AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margereth Padilla said alliances with like-minded nations are helping strengthen cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“These alliances are really working towards enhancing our cooperation with other countries,” Padilla said. “So more nations want to join us in what we are fighting for here — a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are here with one common goal with other allied nations.”
Scarborough Shoal is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and the waters around, within, and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
