Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels ‘illegally intruded’ into the waters adjacent to Sabina Shoal (file)
Beijing, China:
China’s coast guard said a Philippine ship that ignored repeated warnings deliberately collided with a Chinese vessel in the disputed South China Sea in an “unprofessional and dangerous” manner, according to statements on Monday.
A short video of the incident posted on the Chinese coast guard’s social media showed the collision occurred around 3:24 a.m. on Monday (1924 GMT on Sunday) and labeled the Chinese ship as a coast guard vessel.
In one of the statements, China’s maritime security agency said the same Philippine ship then entered the waters near Second Thomas Shoal after being prevented from entering the waters of Sabina Shoal.
Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels “illegally intruded” without authorization into the waters adjacent to Sabina Shoal in the early hours of Monday, according to Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu.
“The Philippines has repeatedly caused trouble and violated the temporary arrangements between China and the Philippines,” Gan said, referring to the Philippines’ supply missions to a ship grounded on Second Thomas Shoal.
A spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
China’s coast guard said early Monday that it has taken control measures against the Philippine ships in accordance with the law in the incidents, warning the Philippines to “immediately stop infringements and provocations” or “bear any consequences.”
China and the Philippines reached a “provisional agreement” in July after repeated arguments near the Second Thomas Shoal. China has been sharply criticized by Western countries for its aggression in blocking Philippine attempts to resupply troops aboard a navy ship it deliberately grounded 25 years ago.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including both shoals, rejecting a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that Beijing’s sweeping claims had no basis under international law.
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