A video released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a Chinese Coast Guard ship with a damaged front after it collided with a Chinese Navy vessel on Monday. Getty Images
A Chinese navy warship crashed into one of its own coast guard vessels while chasing a Philippine patrol boat in the South China Sea on Monday. The incident happened near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area both countries claim. The Philippine Coast Guard was escorting boats delivering aid to local fishermen when the confrontation began.
Dramatic Video Shows the Impact
Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a China Coast Guard vessel and a much larger ship marked “164” colliding with a loud bang. Photos taken after the incident reveal the coast guard vessel’s bow crushed inward, leaving it badly damaged but still afloat. Commodore Jay Tarriela said the smaller Chinese vessel, CCG 3104, had been pursuing the Philippine ship BRP Suluan at high speed before making a dangerous turn. This maneuver caused the collision with the Chinese navy ship, leaving the coast guard vessel “unseaworthy.”
Water Cannon Attack and Aftermath
Before the crash, the Chinese ship used a water cannon on the BRP Suluan, but the Philippine vessel managed to avoid damage. Tarriela said Chinese crew members were seen at the bow of their vessel moments before impact. He expressed concern for their safety but noted the Chinese side never responded to offers of help from the Philippines.
China’s Official Response
Chinese coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu confirmed a confrontation took place but made no mention of the collision. He said the coast guard acted according to law to “block and control” the Philippine vessels. China’s foreign ministry also avoided directly addressing the crash.
Rising Tensions in Disputed Waters
The clash adds to a growing list of confrontations between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. China claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international court ruling against its claim. Scarborough Shoal has been a flashpoint since 2012 when China seized it from the Philippines. More than 60% of global maritime trade passes through these waters, making the area strategically vital.
Philippine President’s Firm Stand
President Ferdinand Marcos said Philippine patrol ships will remain in the area to defend the country’s rights. He also warned of the risk of conflict with China over Taiwan, stressing that geography and the large number of Filipinos in Taiwan make it impossible for the Philippines to stay out of any future crisis.
War of Words Over Taiwan
Marcos recently told reporters in India that a Taiwan conflict would inevitably involve the Philippines. China accused him of “playing with fire,” but Marcos said Beijing twisted his words for “propaganda purposes.” He stressed his point: a war over Taiwan would “drag the Philippines kicking and screaming into the conflict.”
