Manila accused Chinese coast guard vessels of manoeuvring dangerously, attempting to obstruct Philippine government vessels operating at the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) today released information about the encounter between the supply ship BRP Datu Sanday and a coast guard vessel and three other Chinese ships on February 22, saying the incident occurred when the Philippine ship was transporting oil to fishermen in the area near the Second Thomas Shoal in Vietnam's Spratly Islands.
"Three of the four Chinese vessels moved in front of the BRP Datu Sanday at a distance of only 100 meters. The group of vessels also continuously followed, jammed the automatic identification signal and performed dangerous maneuvers. Despite that, the captain of the BRP Datu Sanday showed excellent skills and evaded all attempts to intercept," said PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela.
A Chinese coast guard vessel moves near BRP Datu Sanday in this photo released today. Photo: AFP
This is the second time Manila has accused Chinese coast guard vessels of obstructing Philippine government vessels near Second Thomas Shoal in the past two weeks.
Chinese officials have not commented on the information.
Second Thomas Shoal is part of Vietnam’s Spratly Islands, currently illegally occupied by the Philippines. Beijing and Manila both claim sovereignty over the area.
The Philippine military has used the decrepit warship BRP Sierra Madre, which ran aground on Second Thomas Shoal, as an outpost to maintain an illegal presence in the area since 1999. The ship has a marine unit stationed on board and is completely dependent on supplies from the mainland.
The Philippine Department of National Defense said Beijing regularly maintains a coast guard vessel near Second Thomas Shoal to monitor Philippine fishing activities and monitor resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre. Chinese forces have repeatedly attempted to intercept Philippine government vessels in the area.
South China Sea area. Graphic: CSIS
In November 2021, three Chinese coast guard ships blocked the way, flashed their lights and fired water cannons, forcing Philippine supply ships to abort their mission and turn back. General Tarriela said on October 6, 2023, that the Chinese coast guard ship cut its bow and nearly collided with the BRP Sindangan near Second Thomas Shoal.
Vietnam has repeatedly emphasized that it has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, in accordance with international law.
Vu Anh (According to AFP )
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