China, Philippines Trade Accusations After Coast Guard Vessel Collision

The Philippines stated that two vessels were damaged by ‘unlawful and aggressive maneuvers’ after the Chinese blamed the Philippines for the incident.

Damage in the auxiliary room on the port side near the port auxiliary engine of Philippines Coast Guard vessel BRP Bagacay/MRRV-4410 (Left) and on the coast guard vessel BRP Cape Engano/MRRV-4411 (Right), following collisions with Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the disputed South China Sea, on Aug. 19, 2024. Philippine Coast Guard via AP

China and the Philippines blamed each other on Aug. 19 after their coast guard vessels collided in the South China Sea, days after trading accusations over an air incident.

The China Coast Guard claimed that a Philippine vessel deliberately rammed into a Chinese vessel, while the Philippines asserted that dangerous maneuvers by two China Coast Guard vessels resulted in damage to two Philippine Coast Guard vessels.