Chinese ship rams Philippines gov’t vessel in South China Sea: Coastguard
The Philippine Coast Guard says a China Coast Guard vessel rammed a Philippine government boat, the BRP Datu Magat Salamat, off Palawan in the South China Sea while the Philippine ship was supplying fuel to fishermen. China denied responsibility, saying the Philippine vessel ignored warnings and altered course before the collision.
Why It Matters
The incident adds to a string of maritime confrontations between Manila and Beijing as both assert competing claims over the South China Sea, straining relations that involve regional security partners and international rulings. It also follows prior confrontations and diplomatic disputes between the two countries reported this year.
Key Facts
- Date reported: Friday (reported by Philippine Coast Guard)
- Philippine vessel: BRP Datu Magat Salamat (government ship operated by BFAR)
- Accuser: Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela
- Allegation: China Coast Guard vessel carried out dangerous manoeuvres and rammed the Philippine ship after cutting across its path at about 10 metres twice
- Mission of struck vessel: Supplying fuel to Philippine fishermen
The Philippine Coast Guard has accused a China Coast Guard vessel of ramming the BRP Datu Magat Salamat off the coast of Palawan in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine account, the BFAR-operated ship was on a fuel-resupply mission for local fishermen when the Chinese vessel first crossed its path at a distance of roughly 10 metres, then repeated the manoeuvre about 10 minutes later and struck the Philippine boat. The collision reportedly caused significant damage to one side of the Philippine vessel and left debris on its deck, but no injuries were reported.
Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela released video footage he said showed the incident and described the sequence of events. China’s Foreign Ministry, citing the Chinese coastguard, rejected Manila’s version, saying the Philippine ship ignored warnings, intentionally altered course and suddenly accelerated in front of the Chinese vessel. The two sides thus offer conflicting accounts of responsibility for the collision.
The episode is the latest in a series of maritime flashpoints between China and the Philippines in waters subject to overlapping sovereignty claims. Earlier this year Manila alleged Chinese forces used a water cannon against Philippine government vessels near Scarborough Shoal and that a Philippine navy staffer was struck with a wooden baton; Beijing also previously barred the Philippines’ defence minister from entering China. The United States has expressed concern about Chinese military activities in the area and criticized a Chinese-designated nature reserve said to reinforce Beijing’s claims.
Manila continues to contest China’s assertions over much of the South China Sea; a United Nations-backed tribunal ruled in July that China’s broad sovereignty claims in the waters have no legal basis. The collision underscores ongoing tensions in the maritime region and the potential for further incidents as both sides maintain patrols and enforcement activities there.
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