China Coast Guard collides with own warship while chasing Philippine vessel

MANILA, Philippines — A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel collided with a Chinese warship while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel near Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Monday, August 11.

PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said CCG vessel 3104 was chasing the Philippine patrol vessel BRP Suluan at high speed about 10.5 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal when it attempted a “risky maneuver” from the Philippine ship’s rear right side (starboard quarter).

The move caused the CCG vessel to slam into the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship 164 and sustain damage to its forward deck.

“This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel's forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy,” Tarriela said in a statement.

A video from one of the crew members of BRP Suluan, shared by the PCG, shows CCG vessel 3104 crashing into the Chinese warship, which suddenly made a sharp turn and struck the CCG vessel’s bow during the chase.

"Because of their pursuit, they themselves collided with each other... As we can see from the video, what was damaged here is the CCG 3104. And we are also anticipating that there may be CCG personnel who were injured here," Tarriela said in a televised interview.

During aid mission. The collision occurred during the PCG’s “Kadiwa Para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” mission near Scarborough Shoal, in which two patrol ships and a supply boat were sent to deliver fuel and provisions to around 35 Filipino fishing vessels.

Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but has been effectively under Chinese control since 2012.

During the operation, the PCG said one of its vessels, MRRV 4406, evaded a water cannon blast aimed by other Chinese ships through what it described as the “seamanship skills” of its crew. Both the PCG and the Filipino fishers’ vessels faced “hazardous maneuvers and blocking actions from other vessels in the vicinity,” Tarriela said.

Offer of aid. Despite the confrontation, the PCG said it offered assistance to the damaged Chinese vessel, including help in recovering any crew who may have fallen overboard and providing medical aid. It said its ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, also escorted Filipino fishermen to safety, where they continued to receive fuel and supplies.

"The Philippine Coast Guard reaffirms its dedication to safeguarding all maritime operations in the area and wishes for the swift recovery and proper treatment of any affected CCG personnel," Tarriela said.

Another video clip shared by the PCG shows one of its personnel radioing: “This is PCG vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua MRRV 9701. We have medical personnel onboard. Should you need medical assistance, we are willing to provide medical assistance.”

Tarriela said the CCG vessel did not respond to the Philippine side's attempt to provide assistance.

Lawmakers' reaction. In a statement, Rep. Chel Diokno (Akbayan) — a member of the informal “West Philippine Sea” bloc in the House — urged the government to take action against China’s interference in Scarborough Shoal.

“Scarborough Shoal is part of our waters, and China has no right to interfere with or block our passage within our territory,” Diokno said.

The lawmaker also commended PCG personnel for offering immediate assistance to the crew of the damaged CCG vessel.

Tensions over Scarborough Shoal persist

The incident comes amid flaring tensions over Scarborough Shoal in recent years, with Chinese ships repeatedly accused of harassing Filipino fisherfolk and blocking their access to the rich fishing grounds.

The shallow outcrop — a traditional fishing area for communities in Zambales and Pangasinan — became a flashpoint in 2012 when China seized control of the shoal after a tense standoff.

This prompted Manila to file — and later win — an international arbitration case that invalidated Beijing’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea. But China has rejected this 2016 ruling and continued to deploy coast guard and militia vessels to assert its presence in the resource-rich waters.