Aggression + Disinformation: PCG Calls Out China For Saying Phl Boat Rammed CCG Vessel

The Philippines and China traded accusations on Sunday, Dec. 10, over a collision of their vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea as tensions over claims in the vital waterway escalate.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accused China of firing water cannons and ramming resupply vessels and a coast guard ship, causing “serious engine damage” to one, while the China Coast Guard (CCG) said the Philippine vessel intentionally rammed its ship.

President Marcos, in a statement issued late Sunday night, declared that the aggression and provocations perpetrated by the CCG and their Chinese Maritime Militia “against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.”

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis.

Beijing and Manila have been playing cat-and-mouse around the uninhabited Second Thomas Shoal in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone when the Philippines deploys resupply missions for Filipino soldiers living aboard an aging warship deliberately run aground in 1999 to protect Manila's maritime claims.

The shoal is part of what are known internationally as the Spratly Islands.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Philippines accused China of “illegal and aggressive actions” by China for firing water cannon at a civilian-operated government fishing vessel, a move Beijing called legitimate “control measures.”

In Sunday’s incident, CCG said in a statement that two Philippine vessels, ignoring repeated warnings, had “illegally entered the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in the Nansha Islands without the approval of the Chinese government.”

It said the Unaizah Mae 1 “made an unprofessional and dangerous sudden turn, intentionally ramming into China Coast Guard vessel 21556.” It said the Philippine side bore full responsibility.

CCG spokesman Gan Yu called on the Philippines to stop its “provocative acts,” saying China would continue to carry out “law-enforcement activities” in its waters.

PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela posted on the social media platform X that the "M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel."

A Philippine government task force condemned “China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine” resupply mission. China's action “puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue,” it said in a statement.

The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea said a coast guard ship was towing the Kalayaan back to Palawan province and that coast guard vessel BRP Cabra had “suffered damage to its mast after being directly targeted by the full strength of the water cannon.”

In his statement, Marcos said he has been in constant communication with the national security and defense leadership, and directed the country’s uniformed services to conduct their missions with the utmost regard for the safety of personnel, yet proceed with a mission-oriented mindset.

“Let me reiterate what is settled and widely recognized: Ayungin Shoal is within our Exclusive Economic Zone, any foreign claim of sovereignty over it is baseless and absolutely contrary to international law. Bajo de Masinloc is sovereign Philippine territory and an integral part of our archipelago,” Marcos noted.

“No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea. The illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order,” he stressed. “To our gallant service members, be assured of our utmost gratitude and fullest support. We remain undeterred.”