CCG blames PH for latest ship collision at West Philippine Sea

This photo taken on February 16, 2024, shows a rigid hull inflatable boat leaving a Chinese coast guard vessel near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines on February 17 accused Chinese coast guard vessels of “dangerous” maneuvers for attempting to block a Filipino vessel dropping supplies to fishermen at a reef off the Southeast Asian nation’s coast. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) said a Philippine supply ship collided with one of its vessels near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

It pinned the blame on the Philippines for the incident, saying the Filipino ship  “illegally” entered the waters near Ayungin Shoal at 5:59 a.m. Monday, June 17.

According to the CCG, it took control measures against the Philippine vessel — which allegedly ignored its repeated warnings.

READ: Surge of Chinese warships noted in Ayungin Shoal – Philippine Navy

“[It] violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, and deliberately approached the Chinese ship in an unprofessional manner, causing a collision,” it said.

“The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines,” it added.

Monday’s incident occurred amid increased tension between China and the Philippines, especially after Beijing told Manila to first notify it before accessing Ayungin Shoal – a move that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año tagged as “absurd, nonsense and unacceptable.”

READ: Marcos: PH won’t yield West Philippine Sea; to defend it at all cost

Both countries have been embroiled in a territorial dispute as China has been claiming ownership over the majority of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, through its so-called nine-dash line which it later amended to 10-dash line to incorporate Taiwan.

However, a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed from an arbitral case filed by the Philippines in 2013 invalidated China’s assertions.

But China has been ignoring the ruling, persistently encroaching Philippine waters and continuing its aggression and militarization within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

INQUIRER.net has sought the side of the Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding this latest incident in the West Philippine Sea, but has yet to receive a response as of posting.