Philippines, China trade blame over twin collisions in sea

Published October 23, 2023
A videograb released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a collision between a Chinese coast guard ship (left) and Philippines’ resupply boat in the South China Sea.—AFP
A videograb released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a collision between a Chinese coast guard ship (left) and Philippines’ resupply boat in the South China Sea.—AFP

MANILA: Beijing and Manila traded blame on Sunday for two collisions between Chinese vessels and the Philippine boats on a resupply mission to Filipino troops on a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea.

The incidents happened near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

A Philippine government task force said the “dangerous blocking man­o­euvers of China Coast Guard vessel-5203 caused it to collide with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted indigenous resupply boat” about 25km from Second Thomas Shoal.

China said the “slight collision” happened after the resupply boat ignored “multiple warnings and deliberately passed through law enforcement in an unprofessional and dangerous manner”, CCTV reported, citing the foreign ministry.

Also, a Philippine coastguard vessel escorting the routine resupply mission was “bumped” by what the Philippine task force described as a “Chinese Maritime Militia vessel”.

US slams ‘latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission’ near Second Thomas Shoal

China, however, accused the Philippine boat of “deliberately” stirring up trouble by reversing in a “premeditated manner” into a Chinese fishing vessel.

Video released by the Philippine military sho­wed the bow of the Chinese coastguard ship and the stern of the smaller resupply vessel briefly touching.

The Philippine vessel continues on its course.

No one on either Philippine vessel was injured, but the supply boat involved in the collision was damaged, the National Security Council claimed, citing coastguard.

A second resupply boat was able to reach the grounded BRP Sierra Madre and “successfully resupply our troops and personnel stationed there”, the statement said.

“The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia done this morning,” the task force stated. It added the “provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action” of the Chinese coastguard boat had endangered the safety of the crew on the boat.

The Philippine coastguard was escorting the two resupply vessels back to port, the National Security Council said.

China said “responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines” for Sunday’s incidents.

Meanwhile, US ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in a post on X that the United States condemned China’s “latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission” that put “the lives of Filipino service members at risk”.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Maintaining balance
Updated 16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

It must take a more proactive approach to establishing Pakistan’s bona fides.
Welcome return
16 Feb, 2025

Welcome return

IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council...
Childhood trauma
16 Feb, 2025

Childhood trauma

BEING a child in this society should not be so hard. But recurrent reports of child abuse — from burying girl...
The Peca problem
Updated 15 Feb, 2025

The Peca problem

The fight for fundamental freedoms is not the media’s alone, but one that concerns every citizen.
Miners in danger
15 Feb, 2025

Miners in danger

YESTERDAY’S devastating terrorist attack in Harnai, which killed at least 11 coal miners and injured seven others,...
Solar panels scam
15 Feb, 2025

Solar panels scam

THE scam involving over-invoicing to the tune of more than Rs69bn in the import of solar panels raises many ...