Philippines slams Chinese ship's aggressive action in South China Sea collision, tell me about this news in (https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/philippines-slams-chinese-ship-s-aggressive-action-in-south-china-sea-collision/ar-AA2cxnnb?ocid=BingNewsVerp)

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) strongly condemned aggressive actions by a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel that resulted in a collision with a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, the BRP Datu Magat Salamat.

Key Details of the Incident

• The Collision: A CCG vessel performed dangerous maneuvers that led to a collision, resulting in visible damage to the BFAR civilian vessel and endangering its civilian crew.

• Location: The incident took place approximately 54 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, placing it clearly inside the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

• Vessel Mission: According to the DFA, the BRP Datu Magat Salamat was conducting a routine, lawful humanitarian mission to assist and provide fuel to Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea. The ship had previously grounded on Hasa-Hasa Shoal just days earlier while assisting fishermen.

Official Philippine Statement

• Violation of Maritime Law: The DFA stated that there was no justification for China’s aggressive actions against an unarmed, civilian law enforcement craft. The agency described Beijing’s conduct as illegal, coercive, and dangerous, violating international maritime regulations, specifically:

  • The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

  • The 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)

  • The 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award

• Call for Restraint: Manila urged Beijing to respect Philippine sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone, exercise restraint, and refrain from escalating tensions in the area.