Dangerous Maneuvers During Chase of Philippine Vessel Lead to Collision of Two Chinese Ships
• A China Coast Guard vessel collided with a Chinese Navy warship while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel near Bajo de Masinloc on Monday
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
• The incident occurred during a humanitarian mission by the PCG to provide aid to Filipino fishermen in the area
• The Chinese Coast Guard vessel sustained "substantial damage", rendering it unseaworthy, while the PCG vessel was unharmed
• Philippine authorities, including President Marcos Jr., condemned the "dangerous maneuvers" and vowed that Filipino vessels would not back down from protecting the country's sovereign rights
A high-stakes encounter in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) culminated in a collision between two Chinese ships on Monday after they performed dangerous maneuvers while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel.
Source: Youtube
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!
The incident, which occurred near Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal), is the latest in a series of escalating confrontations between the two nations in the disputed waterway.
The PCG released dramatic video footage of the collision, showing a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship colliding with a much larger People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship.
According to a statement from Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG's spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, the incident unfolded as the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, the BRP Suluan, was escorting a fleet of 35 Filipino fishing boats on a humanitarian mission.
The mission, dubbed the "Kadiwa Para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda" (KBBM), was aimed at providing essential supplies and fuel to the fishermen.
The BRP Suluan was initially targeted with a water cannon by a Chinese vessel but was able to successfully evade the attack due to the crew's seamanship skills.
However, the situation escalated when a CCG vessel (CCG 3104) began a high-speed chase of the BRP Suluan.
As the CCG ship attempted a risky maneuver from the Filipino vessel's starboard quarter, it collided with the PLA Navy warship (bearing the number 164).
The impact resulted in "substantial damage" to the CCG vessel's forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy.
Following the collision, the BRP Suluan offered assistance and medical aid, but the Chinese crew "never responded." The PCG ultimately escorted the Filipino fishermen to a safe location to ensure their security.
The Department of National Defense (DND) immediately condemned China's "atrocious and inane behavior" in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, DND Secretary Gibo Teodoro emphasized that the Philippines does not seek confrontation but will continue to protect its sovereign rights, calling it the "sacred duty of all Filipinos."
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made it clear that the Philippines would not back down, stating that he would never instruct any Filipino vessel to retreat from the area.
This recent incident adds to the growing tensions in the region, which has been a flashpoint since China seized Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012.
China's expansive claims over almost the entire South China Sea have been invalidated by an international ruling, but Beijing continues to assert its presence through aggressive actions against Philippine vessels.
The waterway is a crucial global trade route, with over 60% of the world's maritime trade passing through it annually.
Read also
Filipino tourist dies in Hong Kong vehicular accident; DFA assists family as probe underway
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives. The stories are always those that find similarity with day-to-day experiences.
In other news, two Chinese nationals were arrested in Makati City for possessing a number of unlicensed firearms, including a sniper rifle and a shotgun. The arrest was carried out after police served a search warrant based on a tip from a confidential informant. Authorities are investigating the possibility that the suspects are former POGO workers or even spies, a suspicion that was fueled by the discovery of a Chinese flag in their home. The suspects are facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
Still in other news, the body of Clyde Abaa, a 19-year-old aeronautics student, was discovered by a roadside in Barangay Salvacion, Murcia, on Sunday morning. Police suspect a road accident due to injuries and debris found at the scene, but the initial report of a missing motorcycle has complicated the investigation. The victim was last seen on Saturday night riding a motorcycle, which was found later inside a sugarcane field. Murcia Police, led by OIC–Chief of Police PCPT. Honey Labaro, are investigating all angles, including foul play, while urging the public to drive with caution.
Bagong feature: Tingnan ang mga balitang para sa'yo ➡️ hanapin ang "Recommended for you" block at mag-enjoy!
Source: KAMI.com.gh
