South China Sea Skirmish: Chinese Ships Collide Pursuing Philippine Vessel, Manila Report

Collide of China’s Navy and Coast Guard Near Scarborough Shoal

Philippine Coast Guard released footage of an engagement that unfolded on Monday in the contested waters of the South China Sea. The clip shows a China Coast Guard vessel (CCG 3104) collide with a larger warship bearing the number 164, allegedly belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Incident Details

• The clash occurred while a Philippine patrol boat escorting aid‑distribution vessels approached the shoal.
• CCG 3104 was reportedly chasing the Filipino craft BRP Suluan at high speed.
• According to Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Chinese ship performed a “risky manoeuvre” from the starboard quarter of the Philippine vessel, causing contact with the PLA warship.
• Tarriela stated the impact caused “substantial damage” to the Coast Guard ship’s fore‑deck, rendering it “unseaworthy.”

Chinese Coast Guard Response

Gan Yu, a spokesperson for China’s coast guard, confirmed a Monday confrontation but did not mention the collision.
He said the Chinese squadron employed “necessary measures in accordance with the law,” including monitoring, pressure from outside, blocking and controlling Philippine vessels to drive them away.

Background of the Struggle

• Scarborough Shoal has been a flashpoint since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.
• The latest collision is one of many confrontations arising from Beijing’s claim that it almost entirely controls the shoal and surrounding waters, a claim that an international ruling declared has no legal basis.
• More than 60 % of global maritime trade transits the disputed waters, amplifying the stakes.

Presidential Statement

During a morning news conference, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declared that Manila’s patrol vessels would “continue to be present” in the area to defend and exercise the Philippine sovereign rights over the territory it considers its own.

Uncertainty of Damage

It remains unclear if anyone sustained injuries during Monday’s incident.
Tarriela reported that Chinese crews “never responded” to the Filipino ship’s offer of assistance.
Earlier, the BRP Suluan was targeted with a water cannon by the Chinese but successfully evaded it.