In a recent altercation in the South China Sea, Chinese vessels clashed with Philippine coast guard ships near the Scarborough Shoal, resulting in damage to one of the Philippine vessels. According to Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela, the incident occurred when two Philippine maritime patrol vessels encountered a group of Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the vicinity of the shoal.
The Scarborough Shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines, has been a point of contention between China and the Philippines since 2012 when China blockaded and claimed it. Tarriela stated that during the encounter, a Chinese ship fired its water cannon at the Philippine vessels, causing damage. Another Philippine ship was also hit by water cannons from two Chinese ships, resulting in railing and canopy damage.
The damage incurred by the Philippine vessels serves as evidence of the force exerted by the Chinese coast guard during the encounter, according to Tarriela. Additionally, China has reportedly installed a floating barrier spanning 380 meters, effectively restricting access to the shoal. Last year, the Philippines removed a similar barrier erected by China at Scarborough Shoal.
Chinese Ships Damage Philippine Coast Guard Ships in South China Sea Altercation (Credits: CNN)
China has claimed sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, including Scarborough Shoal, despite it falling within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This claim was rejected by an international tribunal in 2016. Maritime encounters between China and the Philippines have escalated in recent months, including a collision at the Second Thomas Shoal in March.
The latest incident occurred amid a joint military exercise between the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea, sparking criticism from Beijing. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022, has sought to strengthen ties with the U.S., in contrast to his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to cozy up to Beijing.
President Joe Biden reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the Philippines during a trilateral summit with Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, underscoring the U.S.’s stance amid China’s assertive actions in the region.
