Chinese ships smash into each other while chasing Philippine boat, footage shows
A China Coast Guard vessel collided with a People's Liberation Army Navy ship early on Monday while it was chasing a Philippine boat at 'high speed,' resulting in 'substantial damage' to the Chinese coast guard ship, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a post on X.
The collision was part of Manila's account of the incident that happened near Scarborough Shoal where Philippine vessels and fishermen encountered 'hazardous manoeuvres and blocking actions' from Chinese ships.
A Chinese vessel targeted a Philippine ship with water cannon, but the latter was able to evade it, Tarriela said.
Footage of the incident posted by the Philippine Coast Guard shows the Chinese ship cut off by the larger destroyer, which crumpled the smaller ship's bow and ended the chase.
Beijing has used water cannon on Philippine ships in the South China Sea in the past to assert its maritime claims, with its coast guard also deploying it to drive away a Philippine vessel in June.
Chinese vessels have also previously collided with Philippine ships on multiple occasions in disputed waters, which have damaged Manila's boats and at times injured Filipino crew members.
The China Coast Guard said in a statement that it warned off a fleet of Philippine boats after the latter deliberately intruded into the waters near Scarborough Shoal despite repeated warnings.
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