Chinese Coast Guard accused of cutting off Philippine Coast Guard ship

The Philippines accused Chinese coast guard ships of "dangerous maneuvers" that hindered Manila's official vessels operating in the East Sea.

"The Chinese Coast Guard vessels conducted four dangerous maneuvers and intercepted the BRP Teresa Magbanua patrol vessel, twice cutting across our vessel," the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in a statement today.

BRP Teresa Magbanua began patrolling the area near Second Thomas Shoal earlier this month to “ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen” in the area. “Four coast guard vessels tailed it more than 40 times. Four Chinese maritime militia vessels were also present nearby,” the PCG said.

Chinese officials have not commented on the information.

Chinese Coast Guard ship 4203 crossed paths with a Philippine Coast Guard ship in June 2023. Photo: PCG

Second Thomas Shoal is part of Vietnam’s Spratly Islands, currently illegally occupied by the Philippines. Beijing and Manila both claim sovereignty over the area.

The Philippine military has used the decrepit warship BRP Sierra Madre, which ran aground on Second Thomas Shoal, as an outpost to maintain an illegal presence in the area since 1999. The ship has a marine unit stationed on board and is completely dependent on supplies from the mainland.

This is not the first time China has blocked Philippine vessels near Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippine Department of National Defense said Beijing regularly maintains a coast guard vessel near Second Thomas Shoal to monitor Philippine fishing activities, as well as monitor resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.

South China Sea area. Graphic: CSIS

In November 2021, three Chinese coast guard ships blocked the way, flashed their lights, and fired water cannons, forcing Philippine supply ships to abort their mission and turn back. Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Lieutenant General Jay Tarriela said on October 6 that the Chinese coast guard ship cut its bow and nearly collided with the BRP Sindangan near Second Thomas Shoal.

Vietnam has repeatedly emphasized that it has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, in accordance with international law.

Vu Anh (According to AFP )

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