Startling Revelation: Philippines Condemns Deliberate Collisions by Chinese Coastguard with Local Boats

MANILA, Oct 23 (Reuters) – The Philippines has accused Chinese coastguard vessels of intentionally colliding with its vessels during a resupply mission in a disputed part of the South China Sea. Tensions between the Southeast Asian nation and Beijing have escalated as a result.

Both parties have exchanged accusations after the latest incident on Sunday, which occurred in the waters around the disputed Second Thomas shoal. While no one was harmed, it marked the most serious clash in the area to date.

China claimed that the Philippine boats had dangerously collided with Chinese coastguard vessels and fishing boats. In response, China’s embassy in Manila accused the Philippines of trespassing and urged the government to stop causing trouble and making groundless attacks.

The Philippine national security council, coastguard, foreign ministry, defence ministry, and armed forces have all condemned the actions of the Chinese coastguard. The United States, supporting its ally, expressed concern and criticized China’s maritime actions in a statement.

During a call between US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Philippine counterpart Eduardo Ano, the US reiterated its support for Manila and described the Chinese maritime actions as dangerous and unlawful.

Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro held a news conference where he accused the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels of “harassing and intentionally hitting” their supply boat and coastguard ship. He called China’s actions a serious escalation of illegal activities and acknowledged the support of allies such as the United States, Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and European Union in condemning China’s aggression and expansionist actions.

The Philippine foreign ministry has summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to condemn the Chinese government’s reckless and illegal act.

Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. came to power in 2022, the Philippines has sought closer ties with the United States while increasingly raising complaints about China’s aggressive behavior. Under Marcos’ government, the country has filed 122 diplomatic protests against China’s actions in the South China Sea, including attempts to block resupply missions and the use of water cannons.

The resupply missions are conducted for a small number of Philippine troops stationed aboard an aging warship purposely grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert the country’s sovereignty claims. The shoal, known as Ayungin in Manila and Renai Reef in China, falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and is strategically located on a busy trade route.

The incident on Sunday was the first time Chinese vessels had resorted to colliding with resupply boats, according to the spokesperson for the Philippines military, Medel Aguilar. One image shared by the Philippine coast guard showed three of the four resupply boats surrounded by seven larger Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels.

China described its coastguard’s actions as professional and restrained, stating that the Philippine vessels had intruded into Renai’s waters. The Philippines Defense Secretary emphasized that China has no authority or right to conduct operations in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that Beijing’s expansive claim to the South China Sea was groundless. However, China maintains that it does not accept any claim or action based on that ruling.

Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz and Karen Lema; Additional reporting by Ethan Wang and Liz Lee in Beijing, and Susan Heavey in Washington; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Simon Cameron-Moore, and Bill Berkrot

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Reference