Reports from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) indicate that Chinese and Philippine vessels have collided once again in the South China Sea, a contested area where maritime disputes have been a focal point of discussions at a regional summit in Australia.
According to PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela, the collision occurred during a routine RoRe operation to support armed forces personnel stationed in the West Philippine Sea. Tarriela described facing dangerous maneuvers and obstruction from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Maritime Militia during the operation, leading to a collision between MRRV-4407 and China Coast Guard 21555.
Tarriela shared videos of the incident, showing the collision from different angles and highlighting the reckless actions of the Chinese vessels. He mentioned that the mission is still ongoing and promised to provide updates as the situation develops.
This collision is just one in a series of incidents that have occurred in the South China Sea over the past year and a half, with China increasing its presence and activities in Philippine-claimed waters. While the exact location of the collision was not disclosed, it is believed to have taken place near Second Thomas Shoal, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The collision comes amid calls for unity on South China Sea disputes by Philippine officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Australia. Addressing the challenges posed by territorial threats, President Marcos emphasized the need to defend the Philippines’ territorial integrity.
During the summit, both Philippine and Australian officials stressed the importance of upholding international law to ensure sustainable outcomes and regional stability. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed support for the Philippines’ sovereignty efforts, without directly naming China, and called for preventive measures to reduce conflict risks.
Australia has committed financial support for maritime security in ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, and has participated in joint patrols in the South China Sea with the Philippines. As discussions at the summit continue, the South China Sea issue is expected to remain a key topic of concern among participating nations.