- China Coast Guard vessel rammed the Philippine boat BRP Datu Magat Salamat on a resupply mission, damaging its railings and deck structures but causing no injuries, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
- The BRP Datu Magat Salamat was on a mission to distribute fuel to Filipino fishermen about 54 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan when the incident occurred.
- Video footage showed crew members shouting 'brace for impact!' moments before the collision, which took place at 11:13 a.m.
- The Philippine Coast Guard accused China of deliberately ramming a civilian government vessel on a humanitarian mission.
- The China Coast Guard claimed it was conducting law enforcement operations near Sabina Shoal and blamed the Philippine vessel for altering its course.
- China rejected the Philippine account, placing responsibility for the collision on the Philippine side.
- No injuries were reported in the incident, but photographs showed damaged railings and debris scattered across the deck of the struck vessel.
- The collision is part of a series of flashpoints between ships from the two nations in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
- Chinese vessels have been involved in multiple confrontations with Philippine ships, including accusations of using water cannons and physical assaults.
A China Coast Guard vessel rammed the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat on a resupply mission, damaging its railings and deck structures but causing no injuries. The incident occurred about 54 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan province.127
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the Chinese vessel executed a series of dangerous maneuvers before the collision, which took place at 11:13 a.m. on Friday. Video footage showed crew members shouting “brace for impact!” moments before the collision.38
PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela stated that the Chinese ship initially cut across the path of the Philippine vessel at a distance of about 10 meters (33ft) before ramming it, causing severe damage. Photographs revealed bent railings and debris scattered across the deck.
In response, the China Coast Guard claimed it was conducting law enforcement operations and accused the Philippine vessel of “disregarding repeated solemn warnings” and altering its course. They asserted that the blame for the collision lay with the Philippine side.5
This incident is part of a series of confrontations in the South China Sea, where tensions have escalated as China asserts its claims over the region. In July, Manila accused Beijing of firing water cannons at government vessels and striking a Philippine Navy staff member during a separate encounter.
Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro vowed to continue protecting Manila against China's actions, stating, “in the face of the wickedness they [China] are committing here and even in our seas.”
“The BRP Datu Magat Salamat was distributing fuel to fishermen 54 nautical miles off Palawan when the collision occurred at 11:13 a.m., damaging railings and deck structures. China's coast guard said the Philippine vessel altered course and accelerated across its bow near Sabina Shoal, rejecting Manila's account.”
