Chinese Military Ships Collide While Attempting to Intercept Filipino Vessel

A Chinese Type 052D destroyer, the Guilin, and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided while attempting to intercept a Philippine patrol boat.

Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, reported about this on X (formerly Twitter).

He stated that the Chinese ships had been attempting to intercept Philippine fishermen who had been on their way in the morning to the Bajo de Masinloc area.

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua, BRP Suluan, and the MV Pamamalakaya vessels for the Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda initiative, aimed at supporting local fishermen. At the time, around 35 Philippine fishing vessels were in the area.

At that time, Philippine ships and fishermen were confronted with dangerous maneuvers and blockades from the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG 3104, which was aggressively chasing the BRP Suluan. The Chinese ship executed a risky maneuver on the starboard side of the Philippine vessel and collided with the Chinese Type 052D destroyer Guilin.

As a result of the collision, the Chinese Coast Guard ship lost several crew members who were on deck at the moment of impact and fell into the water.

According to the spokesperson, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel sustained significant damage, compromising its buoyancy and potentially leading to its sinking.

Immediately after the collision, the Philippine side offered assistance in searching for those who had fallen overboard and providing medical aid to the injured crew members.

Meanwhile, the Philippine side successfully escorted the Filipino fishermen to a secure area, where they received fuel and other necessary supplies.

The representatives of the Philippine Coast Guard pointed out that those actions had highlighted the lack of professionalism on the part of the Chinese maritime forces. This incident clearly reflects the heightened tensions over disputed territories, which are now limited to interceptions and the use of water cannons against fishermen and coast guard ships from both countries.

Meanwhile, the struggle for disputed territories between the Philippines and China continues, as the Philippine Coast Guard maintains its presence in contested waters of the South China Sea, particularly in the Sabina Shoal area, despite China’s demands and provocations.

Additionally, in 2016, the Hague Arbitration Court rejected China’s claims to these territories. Beijing did not recognize this ruling and continues to pursue an aggressive policy, carrying out active operations by its coast guard in these waters.