China, Philippines accuse each other of ramming ships in South China Sea

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tariela showed video of Saturday’s confrontation at a news conference, saying the Chinese Coast Guard 5205 ship “directly and intentionally rammed the Philippine vessel without any provocation.”

Talela said the collision damaged the 97-meter-long Theresa Magbanua, one of the largest Philippine Coast Guard patrol boats, but there were no casualties.

Liu Dejun, a spokesman for the Chinese Coast Guard, said in a statement that a Philippine vessel had “illegally stayed” at the Scarborough Shoal, weighed anchor and “deliberately rammed” a Chinese vessel. He called on the Philippines to leave immediately or face the consequences.

Liu Jieyi said: “The China Coast Guard will take necessary measures to resolutely stop all provocations, harassment and infringements, and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”

Tallera said Manila would not withdraw its ships “despite harassment, intimidation and escalatory actions by the Chinese Coast Guard.”

US condemns China’s ‘illegal actions’

The U.S. ambassador to the Philippines expressed Washington’s support for its treaty ally the Philippines.

“The United States condemns the People’s Republic of China’s repeated and dangerous violations of international law, including today’s deliberate strike,” U.S. Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson said on social media platform X.

The Philippines sent a ship to Sabina Shoal, 75 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan province in April. Manila accuses Beijing of building artificial islands, saying it has documented large piles of dead and broken corals on the sandbar, which Beijing denies.

This week, the Philippines’ Maritime Council said Chinese aircraft took unsafe actions toward civilian aircraft patrolling two other disputed areas, Scarborough Shoal and Subi Reef.

The Philippines accused China of obstructing its routine resupply mission on Sunday, saying Chinese vessels rammed and used water cannon on a Bureau of Fisheries vessel carrying food, fuel and medical supplies for Filipino fishermen.