Chinese vessels collide in South China Sea as they pursue Philippine boat

Collision in Scarborough Shoal

Incident overview

On Monday, a China Coast Guard ship collided with a larger Chinese Navy warship while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat near the contested Scarborough Shoal.

Footage and damage

• The collision was captured in a dramatic video released by the Philippine Coast Guard, showing a loud impact.
• Later photos highlighted the warship’s bow crumpled inward, leaving it unseaworthy.

Philippine response

Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Coast Guard vessel had performed a risky maneuver that led to the impact. He added that crew members aboard the smaller Chinese vessel had been visible in its front section just before the collision.

“We’re not sure whether they were able to rescue those personnel… but we hope they’re in good condition,” Tarriela told reporters.

Chinese statement

Gan Yu, a Chinese coast guard spokesperson, confirmed a confrontation had taken place but did not mention the collision. He said the Coast Guard “took necessary measures… including monitoring, pressing from the outside, blocking and controlling the Philippine vessels to drive them away.”

Official diplomatic stance

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs neither confirmed nor denied the collision upon AFP’s inquiry.

Broader context

• The incident follows a series of tense exchanges in the South China Sea, where Beijing asserts nearly all disputed waters despite an international ruling that denies legal basis.
• More than 60% of global maritime trade passes through the contested corridor.

Presidential statement

President Ferdinand Marcos said the Philippines’ patrol vessels would “continue to be present” in the area to defend and exercise sovereign rights over what Manila considers part of its territory.

Earlier confrontation detail

Earlier, the BRP Suluan was targeted with a water cannon by Chinese vessels but successfully evaded it, Tarriela’s statement said.