Published By: Iana Henson
Date Published: August 18, 2025
Time Published: 6:44 Am
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) emphasized that the Philippines was not accountable for the collision between two Chinese vessels, which occurred after the China Coast Guard (CCG) chased a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol boat in the Scarborough Shoal, on August 11.
The collision occurred due to the trailing of the Chinese Coast Guard and performed dangerous maneuvers against the Philippine Coast Guard Patrol Boat that had been distributing aid to fishers in the said area, resulting in collision of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship and China Coast Guard's vessels (CCG).
In an official statement released on August 15, the Department of Foreign Affairs clarified that the Philippines should not be held liable for the collision.
DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro stated, "It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions,”
According to Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Chinese Vessels deliberately attempted to block the BRP Suluan, the fifth ship of the Parola-class patrol vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Tarriela explained in a press briefing, "The [Chinese coastguard vessel] CCG 3104, which was chasing the [PCG vessel] BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky manoeuvre from the [Philippine] vessel’s starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] navy warship."
He added to his statement that it resulted in substantial damage to the Chinese Coast Guard Vessel's forecastle and rendering it unseaworthy.
DFA further stressed that the reckless actions of the Chinese vessels endangered not only the PCG crew and their vessel but also backfired, resulting in the collision between the two Chinese ships.
The Department also reported that none of the Chinese crew responded to the PCG's offer to provide medical aid for the Chinese Crew and pull the damaged vessel out of the area.
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros accused China of "actively censoring the truth" and said that China state media did not report on the collision of their own vessels.
In a statement to reporters, she declared, "The truth is: China used a PLAN vessel in an attempt to ram, and perhaps even sink, our Coast Guard ship."
Hontiveros asserted that China owes the Philippines reparations for environmental damage in Philippine waters and would ensure that China will be held accountable for its coercive actions in the West Philippine Sea and vowed to refile a resolution for the Senate to insist that China pay.
China has neither confirmed or denied the incident but without mentioning the collision.
Gan Yu, a Chinese coastguard spokesperson, only confirmed that a confrontation occured and only saying that it "lawfully" took measures; including monitoring, pressing from the outside, blocking and controlling the Philippine vessels to drive them away.
REFERENCES :
1.[1] ABS-CBN News article
Cahatol, M. (2025, August 15). PH not responsible for Chinese ship collision in Bajo de Masinloc: DFA. ABS-CBN News. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/8/15/ph-not-responsible-for-chinese-ship-collision-in-bajo-de-masinloc-dfa-1130?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMM9N1jbGNrAwzga2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeSK4m8LG008lEIuMPl2gGj9QoIl12dxrrPqaJcvyUofEf18go924VKyM_1jU_aem_EuDcjChnUSqKz6P_MiroHg
2.[2] Davidson, H. (2025, August 12). Chinese warship crashes into own coastguard vessel while chasing Philippine boat in South China Sea. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/12/chinese-ships-crash-warship-coast-guard-south-china-sea
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