On Monday, August 26th, another clash occurred between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. China accused two Philippine Coast Guard ships of “illegally intruding” into the waters near Sabina Shoal and stated that it was taking “control” in accordance with the law. The Philippines, on the other hand, accused China of deploying coast guard ships to obstruct resupply missions.
The incident took place at Sabina Shoal, which has recently become a hotspot for conflicts between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.
The Philippines claimed that when resupplying their ship stationed in the area, they were blocked by 40 Chinese vessels, alleging that China used “excessive force.”
The Chinese Coast Guard stated that Philippine ships 4409 and 4411 illegally intruded into the waters near Sabina Shoal without China’s permission, dangerously approached Chinese coast guard ships, leading China to take control measures.
The two Philippine Coast Guard vessels departed from Palawan to provide supplies to the patrol ship “BRP Teresa Magbanua” at Sabina Shoal. One ship was blocked by two Chinese coast guard ships, while the other was trailed and monitored, resulting in the Philippines being unable to complete the resupply mission.
These ships carried food, supplies, a team of journalists, as well as a specially made “ice cream” prepared by Coast Guard commander Ronnie Gil Gavan to celebrate National Heroes Day.
The “BRP Teresa Magbanua” is a large multi-purpose patrol vessel manufactured in Japan that has been stationed at Sabina Shoal since April to conduct “expanded patrols” in response to concerns about Chinese land reclamation activities. It has been facing off with Chinese vessels for months.
According to a statement released by the Philippines, China’s blockade action involved three warships, six coast guard patrol boats, and 31 maritime militia vessels.
Videos released by the Philippines showed their ships, BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño, being surrounded by Chinese vessels, making it impossible to safely deliver essential goods.
The statement read: “The Philippine Coast Guard will continue to steadfastly uphold national interests and ensure the safety of our waters. We urge China to abide by international law, cease deploying maritime forces that may disrupt the mutually respectful maritime order, where mutual respect forms the basis of responsible and friendly relations among coast guards.”
This is the sixth dispute between China and the Philippines regarding South China Sea sovereignty since early August. The frequency of such incidents has significantly increased, and disputes have extended to airspace, with three incidents involving aircraft and flare firings.
On August 19, a collision occurred between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the Sabina Shoal area. On the 25th, Chinese naval and coast guard ships again surrounded and clashed with Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels in the same area, using water cannons that caused engine failures on the Philippine ships.
The Philippines also stated that one of their fisheries bureau aircraft was threatened by flares fired from the Subi Reef base on August 22 during a routine patrol in the South China Sea.
The Philippines demanded that China “immediately cease all provocations and dangerous actions.”