The Philippine government has accused Chinese vessels of obstructing a mission to resupply Filipino fishermen with fuel and food in the South China Sea.
The Philippines’ National Security Council said on Sunday that a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel was encircled by a Chinese Navy ship and China Coast Guard ships while operating in waters near Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
Footage released by the Philippine authorities shows the bow of a China Coast Guard ship colliding with the hull of a Philippine vessel. The video also shows the Chinese side deploying water cannons against the BFAR vessel, which the Philippines says resulted in an engine failure.
The NSC said in a statement that these “aggressive and illegal actions posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew.”
It called on China to halt these provocative actions, saying that the shoal is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The China Coast Guard said the Philippine vessel ignored its stern warnings and deliberately collided with the Chinese ship with dangerous maneuvers. China said the coast guard ship was implementing laws in a normal way.
The coast guard said it warns the Philippines to immediately stop violating China’s rights and provoking the country.
On August 19, Chinese and Philippine vessels collided in the same waters in the South China Sea.