The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday the Philippines is not responsible for the recent collision of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) last Monday, August 11.
“The PHL bears no responsibility for the collision between the PLAN vessel and the CCG vessel in Bajo de Masinloc. It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said.
The incident happened while the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Suluan was conducting a lawful resupply mission for Filipino fisherfolk in Bajo de Masinloc, which is well within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
China is illegally claiming the waters as part of its territory, sending its CCG vessel to try and block the smaller BRP Suluan, but it crashed into the Chinese navy warship instead. The DFA earlier expressed “serious” concerns over the incident, describing it as unlawful interference.
This wasn’t the first time China engaged in such dangerous maneuvers. Lazaro reminded Beijing of the incident in Ayungin Shoal last year, which resulted in serious damage to PCG vessels and injured a Filipino soldier.
“[T]he Philippines reiterates its demand to China for compensation for the damage caused to Philippine vessels and equipment on 17 June 2024, as well as the return of its firearms and equipment, and the personal effects of its personnel that were illegally seized on that date,” she said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the incident caused an estimated P60 million in damage to its vessels.
