A China Coast Guard vessel rammed a Philippine boat conducting a resupply mission in the South China Sea on Friday, damaging railings and deck structures but leaving no one injured, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. The incident marked the latest clash between the two countries in contested waters.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat was delivering fuel to Filipino fishermen about 54 nautical miles off Palawan province when a China Coast Guard ship performed a series of dangerous maneuvers before making contact with the Philippine vessel, the PCG said.
“The China Coast Guard deliberately rammed a civilian government vessel on a humanitarian and livelihood mission,” the PCG said in a statement.
Video released by the PCG captured crew members shouting, “brace for impact!” shortly before the collision at 11:13 a.m.
Images taken after the impact showed bent and detached railings, damaged metal supports, and debris strewn across the vessel’s deck.
China’s Coast Guard said it conducted law enforcement operations near Sabina Shoal on Friday. It accused the Philippine vessel of ignoring repeated warnings, deliberately changing course, and suddenly accelerating to cross in front of the Chinese ship.
The Chinese side said its vessel had acted professionally and placed responsibility for the collision on the Philippines.
In July, Manila accused Beijing of using water cannon against government vessels near Scarborough Shoal and said a Philippine Navy staff member was struck on the head with a wooden baton during an encounter at Second Thomas Shoal.