Philippines says Chinese ship collision shows risks of ignoring maritime rules
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines wants China to "draw lessons" from a collision between two of its own ships yesterday while harassing a Philippine patrol vessel near Scarborough Shoal, saying the incident is a reminder to abide by international maritime rules.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 12, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed "serious concern" over the lengths that Chinese vessels took to interfere with the Philippines' distribution of provisions to Filipino fishers yesterday near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) — "a longstanding and integral part of Philippine territory."
"Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels,” the DFA said.
The incident yesterday — captured on video and publicized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) — shows a China Coast Guard vessel ploughing into a larger Chinese warship with a loud crash just as it was closing the distance to PCG vessel BRP Suluan.
It was the CCG vessel's attempted "risky maneuver" against BRP Suluan that led the two Chinese vessels to ram into each other. The CCG vessel sustained damage to its forward deck that rendered it unseaworthy, according to the PCG.
The DFA on Tuesday said the incident "demonstrates the importance of adhering to international maritime rules such as the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS)."
"The Philippines has repeatedly emphasized the importance of maritime safety, and is prepared to work with relevant parties to draw lessons from this incident," the DFA added.
What are these rules? COLREGS sets out the "rules of the road" or navigation rules to be followed by ships and other vessels at sea to prevent collisions at sea. The regulations include requirements for vessels to maintain proper lookouts and take early action to avoid collisions.
SOLAS, meanwhile, provides broader rules that address various aspects of maritime safety, including construction, equipment, and operation of ships.
The Philippines has repeatedly flagged China for violating COLREGS during past encounters in the West Philippine Sea. In several incidents since 2021, the PCG has accused Chinese vessels of dangerous maneuvers and close-distance blocking actions that breach maritime safety rules.
Offer of help
Despite the confrontation, the DFA said the Philippines “without hesitation” offered medical aid and towing assistance to the damaged CCG vessel to ensure safe navigation for other ships in the area, in line with obligations to assist mariners in distress.
The department also commended the “calm professionalism and world-class seamanship” of the PCG, saying its personnel remain steadfast in enforcing the country’s rights in all its maritime zones.
It reiterated that the Philippines will “unstintingly assert and protect its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in accordance with international law,” while remaining “keen in utilizing diplomacy and dialogue to address differences and produce positive outcomes” in the West Philippine Sea.
PCG vessels were delivering fuel and supplies to about 35 Filipino fishing vessels as part of its humanitarian mission when the Chinese vessels began "hazardous maneuvers and blocking actions," PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said Monday.
An assessment of the incident shows there was a deliberate attempt to ram the Philippine vessel, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a chance interview Tuesday.
Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but has been under Chinese control since 2012, with Beijing continuing to reject a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its expansive claims in the South China Sea.
The AFP chief says the presence of a Chinese Navy vessel yesterday near the disputed feature points to Beijing's breach of its 2012 agreement with the Philippines, under which both sides agreed to withdraw their naval ships from the shoal.
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