By Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores
MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines expressed serious concern on Tuesday over what it called “dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference” by Chinese vessels during a coast guard supply mission for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
Manila’s Coast Guard deployed three vessels on Monday to deliver supplies, such as fuel and ice, to dozens of fishermen operating around the disputed atoll when they encountered “hazardous” and “blocking actions” from Chinese vessels in the area.
“Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels,” the Philippine foreign ministry said in a statement.
Philippine Coast Guard footage showed a Chinese Coast Guard ship trailing the PCG vessel before a Chinese navy ship suddenly cut across its path, colliding with it and damaging the Coast Guard’s forecastle. It was the first known collision between Chinese vessels in the area.
“Our assessment is that the real objective of the PLA Navy ship is to ram our Philippine Coast Guard (vessel). That is also (the) assessment of our Philippine Coast Guard,” Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner told reporters on Tuesday.
China’s actions also drew condemnation from the United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines. “We condemn this latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel… and commend the Philippine Coast Guard for their professionalism and their offer to render assistance,” U.S. Ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, said on X.
China’s defence ministry and its embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
On Monday, China’s coast guard said it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters around the Scarborough Shoal.
The confrontation marks the latest in a series of incidents amid a period of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal voided Beijing’s sweeping claims in the region, saying they had no basis under international law, a decision China rejects.
PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the PCG offered medical and search-and-rescue assistance via radio, but received no response from the Chinese side. He added there was no confirmation on whether any Chinese crew members were injured during the clash.
“Yesterday’s incident demonstrates the importance of adhering to international maritime rules,” the Philippine foreign ministry said. It reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue in resolving differences.
Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, Philippine navy spokesperson for the South China Sea, warned at a press briefing on Tuesday that similar incidents could happen again as long as China continued to conduct what he called “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive” activities in the strategic waterway.
(Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema; Additional reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by David Stanway and Sharon Singleton)
