Beijing: On Saturday, the Philippines and China exchanged accusations of intentional ramming of coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, marking their fifth maritime confrontation in a month. The latest clash occurred near the Sabina Shoal, escalating tensions in the disputed waterway.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with claims from the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This strategic area, through which $3 trillion in trade passes annually, is also believed to be rich in oil, natural gas, and fish stocks.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s extensive claims lack legal foundation—a decision Beijing rejects. At a press conference, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela presented videos of the confrontation, alleging that China Coast Guard vessel 5205 “directly and intentionally rammed the Philippine vessel” without provocation. The ramming damaged the 97-meter (320-foot) Teresa Magbanua, one of the Philippines’ largest coast guard cutters, though no injuries were reported.
China’s coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun countered, accusing the Philippine ship of “illegally stranding” at the shoal and “deliberately ramming” a Chinese vessel. Liu demanded that the Philippines withdraw immediately or face consequences, stating that the Chinese coast guard would “resolutely thwart all acts of provocation and safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.”
In response, Tarriela affirmed that Manila would not withdraw its ship despite “harassment” and “bullying” from the Chinese coast guard. The U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, condemned China’s actions, expressing Washington’s support for Manila and denouncing the “dangerous violations of international law.”
In April, the Philippines deployed a vessel to the Sabina Shoal, 75 nautical miles from Palawan, to counter what Manila described as China’s construction of an artificial island and damage to coral reefs. This week, the Philippine maritime council reported that Chinese aircraft performed unsafe maneuvers against a civilian patrol aircraft over the Scarborough Shoal and Subi Reef. Additionally, the Philippines accused China of blocking a routine resupply mission, alleging that Chinese vessels rammed and used water cannons against a fisheries bureau ship delivering essential supplies to Filipino fishermen.
