The West Philippine Sea once again became the scene of heightened tensions as Philippine and Chinese coast guard vessels collided during a routine resupply mission. This incident, occurring during a regional summit on maritime disputes, serves as a stark reminder of the persistent friction between the two nations over the contested waters.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the collision occurred on Tuesday while the Philippine vessel, the MRRV-4407, was engaged in a crucial ‘rotation and reprovisioning’ (RoRe) operation. This operation aimed to support Filipino troops stationed in the West Philippine Sea. The PCG spokesperson, Jay Tarriela, alleges ‘dangerous maneuvers and blocking’ by Chinese Coast Guard ships and militia vessels in the lead-up to the collision, resulting in ‘minor structural damage’ to the Philippine vessel.
Tarriela’s social media posts appear to corroborate his statements. A drone video shows the Chinese vessel attempting to cut across the bow of the Philippine ship. In contrast, another video, filmed from the deck of the MRRV-4407, depicts Filipino crew members trying to brace for impact using buoys.
This recent collision is not an isolated event. Over the past year and a half, China has significantly increased its presence in Philippine-claimed waters, leading to similar encounters. These include collisions with resupply boats and the use of water cannons to deter Philippine vessels, painting a picture of escalating tensions in the region.
The timing of the collision is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with the second ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Australia. The summit’s agenda heavily features discussions on maritime disputes, with the Philippines calling for regional unity in upholding international law.
During his speeches in Australia, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of defending territorial integrity. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo urged regional cooperation to “oppose actions that contradict or are inconsistent with international law.”
Australia, a staunch ally of the Philippines, has also voiced its support. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned “destabilizing, provocative and coercive actions” in the region while announcing increased maritime security funding for ASEAN nations.
The reported collision will likely remain a central focus of the ongoing summit as regional powers grapple with the simmering tensions in the South China Sea.
