China ‘deliberately rammed, collided’ with PH Coast Guard ship in Escoda Shoal
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines said a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel “deliberately rammed and collided” with the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua three times in Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, August 31.
“It is important for us to take note that this ramming happened despite our unprovoked action and presence in Escoda Shoal,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, said at a news briefing.
The PCG said the Teresa Magbanua incurred damage and the ramming also left her with holes.
On Saturday morning, the PCG vessel was surrounded by Chinese maritime forces — two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy tugboats and two CCG vessels.
When the Teresa Magbanua dropped anchor in Escoda Shoal at around 8:30 am, more Chinese maritime forces surrounded the PCG vessel, said the PCG.
Tarriela said that one of China’s vessels blew their horn upon learning that the BRP Teresa Magbanua was dropping its anchor. “And then, all of a sudden, there is another [CCG] vessel that is also approaching and getting near MRRV 9701 — that is CCG vessel 5205.”
Tarriela noted that CCG vessel 5205 was not originally deployed to surround the Teresa Magbanua.
“Around 12:07, when the PCG vessel is already on the move, CCG vessel 5205 carried out a dangerous maneuver resulting to its direct ramming on the port bow of MRRV 9701. Obviously, the CCG vessel 5205 has ignored collision regulation because of such action,” Tarriela said.
The CCG vessel also hit the Teresa Magbanua on her starboard quarter. “After this, it went around and did another ramming…. On the port beam of MRRV 9701, China Coast Guard 5205 has once again directly and intentionally rammed the PCG vessel.”
Tarriela presented videos of the incident.
This is the seventh incident of harassment caused by China in Philippine waters this August and the third near or within the waters of Escoda Shoal. CCG vessels also caused “structural damage” to BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño because of its “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” last August 19.
“It is important for us to understand that the Escoda Shoal has been an issue for the Chinese government since we deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua last April 15,” Tarriela said on Saturday.
China: PH ship ‘deliberately rammed’ Chinese vessel
Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for China’s coast guard, said in a statement that a Philippine ship, “illegally stranded” at the shoal, had lifted anchor and “deliberately rammed” a Chinese vessel. He called on the Philippines to withdraw immediately or bear the consequences.
“The Chinese coast guard will take the measures required to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Liu said.
Tarriela said Manila would not withdraw its ship “despite the harassment, the bullying activities and escalatory action of the Chinese coast guard.”
The Philippines deployed a ship in April to the Sabina Shoal, 75 nautical miles from the coast of the Philippine province of Palawan. Manila accused Beijing of building an artificial island, saying it had documented piles of dead and crushed coral on the sandbars, which Beijing denies.
Escoda Shoal is 75 nautical miles away from the coast of Palawan. The Permanent Court of Arbitration has already found China’s sweeping nine-dash — now, 10-dash — claims to have
“For the PCG, the reason and the deployment of Teresa Magbanua is for us to carry out a legal and legitimate coast guard operation within our own exclusive economic zone,” Tarriela said.
The US ambassador to the Philippines expressed Washington’s support for the Philippines, a treaty ally.
“US condemns the multiple dangerous violations of international law by the PRC (People’s Republic of China), including today’s intentional ramming,” Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said on social media platform X.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions of the waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks. – with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com
