MANILA. A tense standoff in the South China Sea escalated further as Philippine and Chinese coast guard ships collided early Monday near the contested Sabina Shoal, sparking a new wave of recriminations between the two nations. The incident has intensified concerns over the volatile situation in the region, where overlapping territorial claims have frequently led to confrontations.
The collision, which occurred at approximately 3:24 a.m., involved two Philippine Coast Guard ships, the BRP Bagacay and the BRP Cape Engaño, and multiple Chinese vessels. Both sides have accused each other of causing the incident, which left the Philippine ships with significant structural damage but no reported injuries.
China’s coast guard quickly issued a statement accusing the Philippines of deliberately ramming one of its ships. “The Philippine side is entirely responsible for the collision,” asserted spokesperson Gan Yu, who warned that further provocations could have serious consequences. According to Gan, two Philippine ships entered Chinese-claimed waters near the shoal, ignored repeated warnings, and intentionally collided with a Chinese vessel.
However, the Philippines has staunchly denied these claims. Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director-General of the Philippine government’s National Security Council, refuted the Chinese allegations, presenting video and photographic evidence to support the Philippines’ position. “The Chinese ships caused the collisions,” Malaya stated during a news forum in Manila, where he emphasized the aggressive actions of the Chinese coast guard.
The Philippine National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea released a statement condemning what it described as “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” by the Chinese vessels. The task force detailed the damage inflicted on the two Filipino ships, including a 1.1-meter hole on the BRP Cape Engaño and a three-foot-wide gash on the BRP Bagacay.
“This is the biggest structural damage we have incurred as a result of the dangerous maneuvers carried out by the Chinese Coast Guard,” noted Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard.
The disputed Sabina Shoal, known as Xianbin Reef in Chinese, is part of the Spratly Islands, a region claimed by multiple countries including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The shoal has become a flashpoint for territorial disputes, particularly following the deployment of Filipino Coast Guard vessels to the area in April, amid suspicions that China was preparing to establish a permanent presence.
The collision has also cast doubt on a recent agreement between China and the Philippines intended to reduce confrontations when the Philippines transports personnel and supplies to its outpost at the nearby Second Thomas Shoal. “We are of course disappointed again,” Malaya said, highlighting the fragility of the understanding reached last month.
China, which asserts “indisputable sovereignty” over the Spratlys, responded by reiterating its territorial claims and calling on the Philippines to adhere to the recent agreement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “We hope the Philippines will keep its promise, earnestly abide by the preliminary agreement it has reached with China, and not take actions that could complicate the situation.”
The United States has expressed its support for the Philippines in the wake of the incident. U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson condemned the Chinese coast guard’s actions, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that the U.S. stands with the Philippines “in condemning the China Coast Guard’s dangerous maneuvers near Sabina Shoal that endangered lives and caused damage.”
This latest incident adds to the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, a region of strategic and economic significance that has seen an increase in confrontations as China continues to assert its expansive maritime claims, despite a 2016 ruling by a United Nations tribunal invalidating Beijing’s claims. China has refused to recognize the ruling, further complicating efforts to manage the disputes in the region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
