Philippines, China vessels collide off Ayungin

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese vessels executing “dangerous blocking maneuvers” collided with Philippine boats en route to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.

NTF-WPS said Unaiza May 2, an Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted supply boat, was on a regular rotation and resupply mission to the Filipino military detachment manning the Sierra Madre at 6:04 a.m. yesterday when it was blocked by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5203.

The resupply boat was 13.5 nautical miles east-northeast from the grounded warship – the Sierra Madre – when the “provocative, irresponsible and illegal action of CCGV 5203 imperiled the safety of the crew of (Unaiza May 2),” the NTF-WPS said.

China state broadcaster CCTV, citing the foreign ministry, said the “slight collision” happened after Unaiza May 2 allegedly ignored “multiple warnings and deliberately passed through law enforcement in an unprofessional and dangerous manner.”

Video released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which was posted on the AFP’s official Twitter account, showed the bow of the CCG ship and the stern of the resupply vessel briefly touching. The Philippine vessel continues on its course, but it is not clear if there was any damage.

In the same resupply mission, Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00003 jolted the port side of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel MRRV 4409 while it was hovering 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal.

However, China has accused the PCG vessel of “deliberately” stirring up trouble by reversing in a “premeditated manner” into a Chinese fishing vessel.

The NTF-WPS said the resupply missions were still ongoing, with Unaiza May 1 successfully reaching Sierra Madre and delivering supplies to troops stationed in the detachment.

Lt. Col Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said that Unaiza May 2 remained afloat after the collision.

China said “responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines” for Sunday’s incidents.

The task force condemned the latest acts of “dangerous, irresponsible and illegal” aggression of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia.

“The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia done this morning, in violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and in utter blatant disregard of the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and relevant international maritime conventions, and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” it said.

As China moves ever more confidently to assert its claims to sovereignty over the waters, officials and experts have warned of the potential for collisions.

“This is exactly the kind of event that can happen given their dangerous maneuvering,” said Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.

Batongbacal said the CCG had deliberately hit the Philippine resupply vessel to see how Manila would respond and test the resolve of the Philippines’ longtime ally Washington.

“You don’t accidentally hit another vessel out in the open ocean,” Batongbacal told Agence France Presse.

Ayungin Shoal is located about 105 nautical miles from Palawan. China is also claiming the shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao.

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) has joined the NTF-WPS in denouncing Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea.

“We cannot merely be passive bystanders or unconcerned observers. It is our responsibility to voice our profound concern and show solidarity with the AFP in the face of these provocative behaviors,” the FFW said.

The labor group called for peaceful resolutions to conflicts in the West Philippine Sea and emphasized the necessity of making a resounding and resolute protest in the United Nations General Assembly.

Senators weigh in

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri condemned the latest abhorrent actions of the CCG and Chinese maritime militia at the West Philippine Sea on Sunday morning.

“I am one with peace-loving Filipinos in strongly condemning these latest abhorrent actions of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia, that put in danger the lives of our brave countrymen who were on a routine resupply mission to our troops in Ayungin Shoal,” Zubiri said.

“I reiterate my support for the efforts of my colleagues to increase the budget for the PCG and AFP to better capacitate them in safeguarding our exclusive economic zones from illegal foreign intrusions,” he said.

“As leader of the Senate, I will make sure that our troops will get sufficient funds under the 2024 national budget to bankroll the much-needed upgrade of their equipment,” Zubiri added.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on the international community to join the Philippines’ condemnation of China’s most recent violence against the Filipino people. 

“I call on the international community to join the Philippines’ condemnation of China’s most recent violence against the Filipino people. Our nations should not stop fighting for the rule of law. It is the only way to have a chance at true peace and stability across the region and the world,” Hontiveros added

“China, tama na. This latest collision is squarely the China Coast Guard’s fault,” she added.

Sen. Francis Tolentino said, “This alone proves China’s continued disregard for the rules of International Law and basic maritime safety. Such an incident should be subject to a thorough investigation under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the Code for Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents of the International Maritime Organization.”

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said, “These actions not only violate maritime norms and international law but also pose a threat to the safety and security of the region.”

“This incident is no longer acceptable. Whether it was an accident or not, this is proof of the lack of respect for us and the lives of our fellow citizens,” he added. —  Rainier Allan Ronda, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mayen Jaymalin, Pia Lee-Brago