On Monday, August 11, there was a clash between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. A Chinese Coast Guard ship fired water cannons at Philippine vessels, leading the Philippines to condemn China’s dangerous actions. Philippine President Marcos reiterated that if a conflict erupts in the Taiwan Strait, the Philippines cannot remain neutral.
Prior to the incident, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated in an interview with Indian media last week that the Philippines cannot stay out of any conflicts in the Taiwan Strait. He emphasized the need to form alliances to address security threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
These statements caused a strong backlash from Beijing, warning Manila against playing with fire, escalating the tension between the two sides.
Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, posted on social media platform X on Monday morning, indicating that Philippine vessels and fishermen near the disputed Scarborough Shoal encountered China’s vessels engaging in “dangerous maneuvers and blockade actions.” He mentioned that one Philippine vessel successfully avoided the water cannon attack.
Tarriela noted that the Philippine Coast Guard deployed the large multi-role response vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and patrol vessel BRP Suluan (MRV 4406), along with the supply ship MV Pamamalakaya, to assist approximately 35 Philippine fishing boats in the waters around Scarborough Shoal as part of the “Kadiwa Para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” aid operation.
During this operation, Philippine vessels and fishermen faced dangerous maneuvers and blockade actions from Chinese vessels. The patrol vessel BRP Suluan was targeted with water cannons but managed to evade the attack due to skilled navigation.
Tarriela disclosed that about 10.5 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal, the collision occurred between a China Coast Guard vessel and a Chinese Navy vessel, with the former suffering severe damage to its bow and losing its ability to navigate. The collision happened when the China Coast Guard vessel dangerously approached the right rear of the Philippine Coast Guard ship during a high-speed chase, resulting in the collision with the Chinese Navy vessel.
Following the collision, the Philippine Coast Guard immediately provided assistance, including rescuing personnel who fell overboard and offering medical aid to the injured Chinese Coast Guard crew. Additionally, the BRP Teresa Magbanua safely escorted Philippine fishermen to a secure location, providing necessary fuel and supplies.
The Philippine Coast Guard reiterated its commitment to safeguarding maritime security in the area and expressed wishes for the quick recovery and proper treatment of the affected Chinese Coast Guard personnel.
President Marcos addressed the situation at a press conference, stating that while they hoped to avoid conflicts with anyone in any location, a Taiwan conflict would inevitably drag the Philippines in, leaving them no choice but to engage. As a longstanding ally of the United States, the Philippines would not relinquish sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. Despite Beijing’s claims of almost total sovereignty over the South China Sea, these were rejected by an international arbitration tribunal in 2016.
“We will continue to defend our territory, exercise sovereign rights, regardless of opposition,” Marcos emphasized.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has not yet responded to the incident.
Beijing has repeatedly used water cannons against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea to assert its sovereignty claims in the region. In June this year, a Chinese Coast Guard ship used water cannons to drive away a Philippine vessel.