Philippines Accuses China Coast Guard of Ramming Vessel in South China Sea

The Philippines has accused a China Coast Guard vessel of ramming a government fisheries boat in disputed waters of the South China Sea, in the latest maritime confrontation between the two countries.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the incident occurred on Friday while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat was carrying out a patrol and delivering fuel assistance to Filipino fishermen. The vessel was operating about 54 nautical miles from the coast of Palawan.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said the Chinese vessel, identified as CCG-21585, crossed behind the Philippine boat at about 11:04 a.m., passing within roughly 10 metres.

About nine minutes later, the Chinese vessel repeated the manoeuvre and made contact with the BFAR vessel, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The collision damaged railings and metal support structures on the Philippine vessel and displaced equipment on its deck. No injuries were reported.

Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed the Chinese vessel close to the stern of the Philippine boat, with crew members reacting to the approaching vessel. Photographs released after the incident showed damaged railings and other parts of the deck.

The China Coast Guard disputed Manila’s account and said the Philippine vessel was responsible for the collision. Chinese coast guard spokesman Jiang Lue said the Philippine ship ignored repeated warnings, changed course and accelerated across the path of the Chinese vessel.

He said the actions of the Philippine side had threatened the safety of Chinese personnel and vessels, and called on Manila to stop what Beijing described as provocative activities. China said its vessel had acted professionally during the encounter.

The confrontation occurred near a shoal in the Spratly Islands, an area that has been a recurring source of tension between China and the Philippines. Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by several Southeast Asian countries.

An international arbitration tribunal ruled in 2016 that China’s expansive claims had no legal basis under international law. China rejected the ruling and has continued to maintain its claims.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have increased again in recent months following a period of relative calm. In July, the Philippines accused Chinese vessels of using water cannon against government ships near Scarborough Shoal and reported another confrontation involving Philippine personnel near Second Thomas Shoal.

The latest incident adds to a series of encounters involving coast guard and fisheries vessels as both countries continue to assert competing maritime claims in the strategically important South China Sea.