Tensions in the South China Sea intensified Friday when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine government ship, an incident recorded on video that drew sharply different accounts from Manila and Beijing.
The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat was delivering fuel to Filipino fishermen when the collision occurred at 11:13 a.m. The encounter took place about 54 nautical miles off Palawan province, in waters Manila says fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard captured crew members shouting, “Brace for impact!” just before the crash. Images taken afterward showed bent and broken railings, damaged metal supports and debris across the Philippine vessel’s deck. No injuries were reported.
A Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, identified as DA-BFAR MMOV 3015, sails near another ship during a maritime encounter. (Chinese Coast Guard )
Philippine officials accused Beijing of deliberately striking a civilian government vessel during what they described as a humanitarian mission supporting the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen.
Jay Tarriela, a Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for West Philippine Sea affairs, said the Chinese vessel initially crossed behind the Philippine ship at a distance of about 33 feet. He said it repeated the maneuver minutes later before colliding with the vessel.
Two Philippine Coast Guard ships were reportedly surrounded by Chinese vessels during a tense standoff in the South China Sea on March 24, 2025. (Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Beijing rejected Manila’s version of events. Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Jiang Lue said the Philippine vessel “intentionally adjusted its course and suddenly accelerated to cut across the bow” of the Chinese ship despite repeated warnings. China said its vessel was carrying out lawful operations near Sabina Shoal and placed responsibility for the collision on the Philippine side.
Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4, center, is struck by two Chinese Coast Guard water cannons while attempting to reach Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
Washington also weighed in on the confrontation. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton said the United States “strongly condemn[s] the China Coast Guard’s deliberate ramming.”
The Chinese Embassy in Manila countered by accusing the United States of supporting Philippine “infringement and provocations” in the contested waters.
Friday’s collision adds to a growing series of maritime confrontations between China and the Philippines. In July, Manila accused Chinese forces of using water cannons against government vessels near Scarborough Shoal and of striking a Philippine Navy staff member on the head with a wooden baton during an encounter at Second Thomas Shoal.