No one was reported injured in the collision near Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal in the Philippines. This is the fifth incident between the two countries’ navies and air forces in the South China Sea this month.
The Philippine Coast Guard said its vessel, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, suffered major damage after it was rammed three times by a Chinese coast guard vessel on Saturday morning.
“The Chinese coast guard vessel carried out dangerous maneuvers even though it was not provoked,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesman for the West Philippine Sea coast guard.
“The bridge wing is damaged, too [laivo „Teresa Magbanua“] freeboard, he added. “There is a hole that was also caused by direct ramming by the Chinese Coast Guard.”
Mr Tarriela said the Teresa Magbanua was surrounded by Chinese vessels, including two Chinese coast guard vessels and two warships, while it was “docking” off the Sabina Shoal in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
China’s coast guard blamed the Philippines for the incident, saying, “The full responsibility rests with the Philippines.”
“Philippine Ship No. 9701 deliberately unprofessionally and dangerously collided with Chinese vessel no. 5205, which routinely performed law enforcement functions,” she said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the Philippines reported two separate incidents in which Chinese aircraft fired flares at government aircraft on patrol over the South China Sea.
In August, there were two more incidents in which the Chinese Coast Guard chased Philippine vessels in disputed territories.
China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea, has taken increasingly aggressive actions in the region in recent years. It defies a 2016 ruling by the International Court of Arbitration that it has no legal or historical basis for its expansive claims.
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim the territory, which is believed to be rich in natural resources.
2024-09-01 15:31:16