Date: June 17, 2024
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has accused the China Coast Guard (CCG) of providing a “deceptive and misleading” account of the recent collision near Ayungin Shoal, further straining the already tense relations between the two countries over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
The incident occurred last week when a Philippine supply boat, en route to deliver provisions to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, reportedly collided with a China Coast Guard vessel. The AFP claims that the Chinese vessel’s aggressive maneuver was deliberate and posed a serious threat to the safety of the Philippine crew.
In a statement released today, the AFP condemned the CCG’s actions and its subsequent narrative of the incident. “The account provided by the China Coast Guard is deceptive and misleading. Our vessels were conducting a routine resupply mission in our own territorial waters when they were aggressively intercepted,” the AFP said.
The AFP provided video evidence showing the moments leading up to the collision, which contradict the CCG’s claim that the incident was caused by the Philippine vessel’s unsafe navigation. The footage shows the Chinese vessel deliberately altering its course to block and eventually collide with the Philippine boat.
The CCG, however, stated that its vessel took “control measures” against the Philippine resupply ship for entering the waters off Ayungin Shoal at 5:59 a.m. on Monday, leading to the collision. According to the CCG, their actions were in response to the unauthorized entry of the Philippine vessel into what they consider Chinese territorial waters.
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reiterated the country’s stance on the issue, calling for international support to address China’s assertive actions in the disputed waters. “We call on the global community to stand with us in condemning this blatant disregard for maritime safety and international law,” Lorenzana stated.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to respond to the AFP’s allegations but has previously defended the actions of the CCG, claiming that their vessels were conducting lawful patrols in Chinese territorial waters.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where multiple countries, including the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, have overlapping territorial claims. The strategic and resource-rich area has been a flashpoint for regional conflicts, with China often accused of using its maritime militia and coast guard to assert its claims aggressively.
As the situation develops, regional analysts warn that such incidents could escalate into more significant confrontations, urging diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and seek a peaceful resolution to the disputes. The international community watches closely, concerned about the implications of such conflicts on regional stability and global trade routes.
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