CCG blames PH for latest ship collision in West Philippine Sea

This photo, taken on February 16, 2024, shows a rigid hull inflatable boat leaving a Chinese coast guard vessel near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. On February 17, accused Chinese coast guard vessels of “dangerous” maneuvers for attempting to block a Filipino vessel dropping supplies to fishermen at a reef off the Southeast Asian nation’s coast. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) said a Philippine supply ship collided with one of its vessels near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

It blamed the Philippines for the incident, saying the Filipino ship  “illegally” entered the waters near Ayungin Shoal at 5:59 a.m. on Monday, June 17.

According to the CCG, it took control measures against the Philippine vessel, which allegedly ignored its repeated warnings.

READ: Surge of Chinese warships noted in Ayungin Shoal – Philippine Navy

“[It] violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, and deliberately approached the Chinese ship in an unprofessional manner, causing a collision,” it said.

“The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines,” it added.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in a press conference that besides the supply ship, two Philippine speed boats were also involved in the incident.

Lin insisted that without permission from the Chinese government, the Philippine vessels “intruded” into the area.

“[CCG] took necessary control measures to stop the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law. The maneuvers at the scene were professional, restrained, justified, and lawful,” he said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, for its part, called CCG’s account of the reported collision as “deceptive and misleading.”

“The AFP will not discuss operational details on the legal humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, which is well within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” said AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad

“We will not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims of the China Coast Guard,” he added.

Monday’s incident occurred amid increased tension between China and the Philippines, especially after Beijing told Manila to notify it before accessing Ayungin Shoal—a move that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año tagged as “absurd, nonsense and unacceptable.”

READ: Marcos: PH won’t yield West Philippine Sea; to defend it at all cost

Both countries have been embroiled in a territorial dispute as China has been claiming ownership over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, through its nine-dash line, which it later amended to a 10-dash line to incorporate Taiwan.

However, a July 2016 international tribunal ruling stemming from an arbitral case filed by the Philippines in 2013 invalidated China’s assertions.

But China has been ignoring the ruling, persistently encroaching on Philippine waters, and continuing its aggression and militarization within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.