Philippines, China trade barbs over vessel collision

Published August 20, 2024
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the South China Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela talks about the recent collision incident between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, at a forum in Manila on August 19, 2024. Chinese and Philippine vessels collided on August 19 during a confrontation near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the two countries said. — AFP
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the South China Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela talks about the recent collision incident between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, at a forum in Manila on August 19, 2024. Chinese and Philippine vessels collided on August 19 during a confrontation near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the two countries said. — AFP

BEIJING: The Philip­pines and China accused each other on Monday of ramming vessels and performing dangerous manoe­uvres in the South China Sea.

The incident came less than two weeks after an air incident between the Chinese and Philippines militaries in Scarborough Shoal.

China’s Coast Guard said a Philippine vessel that had ignored its repeated warnings had “deliberately collided” with a Chinese vessel in an “unprofessional and dangerous” manner in the disputed waterway.

The Philippines, however, said its coast guard vessels “encountered unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” from Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal, while on their way to supply Filipino personnel stationed in two islands.

“These dangerous man­euvers resulted in collisi­o­­ns, causing structural da­­mage to both PCG (Phili­ppine Coast Guard) vessels,” said Jonathan Mala-­ya, a spokesperson for the national security council and Manila’s South China Sea task force.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that China would continue to take lawful “resolute and forceful measures” to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We hope that the Philippines can keep its commitments (and) earnestly abide by the temporary arrangements reached with China.”

Condemning China’s actions, US ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson tweeted that the US “stands with the Philip-pines in condemning the China Coast Guard’s dangerous manoeuvres”.

Sabina Shoal is in the Spratly Islands, which are claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels “intruded” into waters adjacent to Sabina Shoal without permission in the early hours of Monday, according to China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu.

China’s Coast Guard said it took control measures against the Philippine ships in accordance with the law and warned the Philippines to “immediat­ely stop infringement and provocation”.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Maintaining balance
16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

THERE are good reasons to be wary. With a new US administration under Donald Trump consolidating its grip on that...
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 ...