On Monday, a China Coast Guard vessel collided with a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship in the South China Sea while they were pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.
The Philippine Coast Guard had dispatched the patrol vessels, BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan, along with the fishing carrier MV Pamamalakaya, to Scarborough Shoal. This response was prompted by the presence of 35 Filipino fishing vessels, according to a statement from Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriela, released on the platform X.
During the operation, the Philippine vessels faced obstruction from “other vessels in the vicinity.” In a related incident, a China Coast Guard vessel pursued the Philippine vessels at high speed. Approximately 10.5 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal, the China Coast Guard vessel executed a risky maneuver from the starboard side of the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, which led to the collision with the PLA Navy warship, as reported in the statement on X.
Following the crash, which rendered the China Coast Guard vessel incapacitated, the Philippine Coast Guard extended assistance and medical aid to injured members of the China Coast Guard.
In response to these events, the Philippines Department of National Defense condemned the actions of the Chinese vessels. The DND issued a statement expressing solidarity with the Philippine Coast Guard against “Chinese atrocious and inane behavior” in the West Philippine Sea, as shared on X.
Riley Ceder is a reporter at Military Times, where he focuses on breaking news, criminal justice, investigations, and cyber issues. He has also worked as an investigative practicum student at The Washington Post, contributing to the Abused by the Badge investigation.
