Philippines Condemns Chinese Ship Maneuvers at Scarborough Shoal

Coast Guard Supply Mission Disrupted

The Philippines expressed serious concern on Tuesday over what it described as “dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference” by Chinese vessels during a Coast Guard mission to supply Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

Manila’s Coast Guard deployed three vessels on Monday to deliver fuel, ice, and other supplies to dozens of fishermen in the disputed atoll. The mission was met with “hazardous” and “blocking” actions from Chinese vessels.

Collision Between Chinese Ships

According to the Philippine foreign ministry, the Chinese actions endangered Philippine personnel and vessels, ultimately resulting in a collision between two Chinese vessels.

Footage from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showed a Chinese coast guard ship trailing a PCG vessel before a Chinese navy ship cut across its path, colliding with it and damaging the PCG’s forecastle. This was the first known collision between Chinese ships in the area.

Philippines Accuses China of Aggressive Intent

General Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the real objective of the Chinese navy ship appeared to be ramming the PCG vessel—a view shared by the Coast Guard.

China’s defence ministry and its embassy in Manila did not respond to requests for comment. On Monday, China’s coast guard claimed it took “necessary measures” to expel Philippine vessels from waters around the shoal.

No Response to Rescue Offers

PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the Coast Guard offered medical and search-and-rescue assistance to the Chinese side via radio but received no reply. There was no confirmation of any injuries among Chinese crew members.

The Philippine foreign ministry stressed that the incident highlighted the importance of adhering to international maritime rules and reiterated its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue.

Rising Tensions in Disputed Waters

Monday’s confrontation is the latest in a series of incidents amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over South China Sea territorial disputes.

A 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the region, declaring them without legal basis—a decision China rejects.

Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy on South China Sea matters, warned that similar confrontations could occur again as long as China continued what he described as “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive” activities in the strategic waterway.