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Sky News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
The Philippines condemns 'dangerous manoeuvres ' as Chinese vessels collide in Scarborough Shoal
The Philippines has criticised China for what it called "dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference" after two Chinese vessels collided while chasing a Philippine craft in the South China Sea. A Chinese Coastguard patrol boat hit a Chinese navy ship in the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Monday as they harassed a Philippines Coastguard patrol boat delivering supplies, including fuel and ice, to dozens of fishing boats. Manila's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the actions of the Chinese boats "not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels". Philippine Coastguard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a widely-reported statement: "The [China Coastguard vessel] CCG 3104, which was chasing the [Filipino Coastguard vessel] BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky manoeuvre from the [Philippine] vessel's starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA [People's Liberation Army] navy warship. "This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel's forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy." The Philippines Armed Forces' Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner told reporters on Tuesday they believed the navy ship was trying "to ram our Philippine Coastguard (vessel). That is also (the) assessment of our Philippine Coastguard". US Ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, condemned on X what she called "latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel... and commend the Philippine Coastguard for their professionalism and their offer to render assistance". China's defence ministry and its embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On Monday, China's Coastguard said it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters in the area. Philippine Coastguard footage showed a Chinese Coastguard ship tracking the Suluan before a Chinese navy ship, bearing the number 164 on its hull, suddenly cut across its path, colliding with it and damaging the smaller vessel's forecastle. People can be heard shouting in alarm before a loud crash at the moment of impact. Pictures showed substantial damage to the front of the Chinese Coastguard vessel. It was the first known collision between Chinese vessels in the area. Both countries claim the Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, as well as other areas in the South China Sea.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Philippines voices concern over 'dangerous' Chinese actions after Scarborough Shoal collision
MANILA, Aug 12 (Reuters) - The Philippines expressed serious concern on Tuesday over what it described as "dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference" by Chinese vessels during a coast guard supply mission for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal on Monday. "Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels," the Philippine foreign ministry said in a statement. A Chinese navy ship collided with a smaller coast guard vessel while the latter was chasing one of the Philippine Coast Guard ships involved in the mission, according to the PCG, which captured the incident on video. China's defence ministry and its embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ministry's statement. On Monday, China's coast guard said it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters around the Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine said it had offered medical aid and other support to the Chinese side, including an offer to tow the damaged China Coast Guard vessel out of the area. "Yesterday's incident demonstrates the importance of adhering to international maritime rules," the Philippine foreign ministry said. It reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue in resolving differences. Monday's confrontation marks the latest in a series of incidents amid a period of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal voided Beijing's sweeping claims in the region, saying they had no basis under international law, a decision China rejects. Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, Philippine navy spokesperson for the South China Sea, warned at a press briefing on Tuesday that similar incidents could happen again as long as China continued to conduct what he called "illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive" activities in the strategic waterway.
