Another round of word war erupted between the Philippines and China after their vessels collided in a disputed shoal at the West Philippine Sea 12:24 PST last August 18.
Manila said that Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG’s) BRP Cape Engaño and BRP Bacagay were “rammed” and “subjected to aggressive maneuvers” by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships in Escoda Shoal (sometimes referred to as Sabina Shoal), located 140km or 86 miles west of the Philippine island of Palawan. The two Filipino vessels were on their way then to Lawak and Patag islands to deliver supplies.
Beijing for its part said that the PCG vessels “illegally entered” its territory and “deliberately collided” with CCG ships.
China is claiming almost the entire South China Sea that covers the West Philippine Sea under its so-called nine-dash line. The Chinese have ignored an international court ruling in 2016 that invalidated their claim.
Philippine spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the August 18 collision created a hole with an approximate diameter of five inches on the deck of BRP Cape Engaño. The other Philippine vessel, BRP Bacagay, also sustained a damage after being “rammed twice,” according to Malaya.
“Despite these incidents, both Philippine Coast Guard vessels remain committed to, and shall proceed with, their mission of delivering essential supplies stationed to personnel in Lawak and Patag islands,” according to Malaya in a published statement.
The sea mishap comes just a couple weeks after the Philippines and China figured in an air incident over Scarborough Shoal (otherwise known as Bajo de Masinloc).
Manila accused China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of harassing a Philippine Air Force (PAF) patrol some 120 nautical miles off the coast of the Philippine province of Zambales. It was “well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” Manila argued.
According to the Philippine Air Force, two PLAAF aircraft executed a “dangerous maneuver” and dropped flares in the path of a NC-212i PAF propeller aircraft. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. advised PAF pilots not to be afraid and continue their operations in the WPS.
Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said there was no reason to be alarmed. “All they have on their side is brute force and might and that’s what they’re gonna do. Hopefully, they listen to reason and heed the appeals of not only the Philippines but other countries to temper their moves and act in accordance with international law,” Sec. Teodoro said. “I do not think it’s alarming. It’s a response that we should need to be acclimated to.”
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it was readying a diplomatic protest.
DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza insisted that the Philippines has adopted a de-escalatory approach to tensions in the WPS and has remained “committed to diplomacy and peaceful means of resolving disputes.”
The National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) called on China to stop its aggression in the region.
“(We) call on the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to cease all forms of provocative and hazardous acts that could undermine the safety of Filipino military and civilian personnel in the waters or in the skies, destabilize regional peace, and erode the trust and confidence of the international community in the PRC,” the NTF WPS stated in a statement.
Only last July, the Philippines and China convened the 9th meeting of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea where the two nations affirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions at sea “without prejudice to their respective positions”.
China and the Philippines also signed the Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms and agreed to continue discussions on maritime cooperation.
