Philippines denounces China Coast Guard collision with civilian vessel in West Philippine Sea

On Friday, a China Coast Guard vessel, CCG-21585, collided with the BFAR-operated BRP Datu Magat Salamat while the latter was conducting a humanitarian patrol in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the incident as unjustified, illegal and hazardous to the crew, citing violations of UNCLOS, the 2016 Arbitral Award, COLREGS and the SOLAS Convention. Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard reported that the Chinese ship first cut across the Filipino vessel's stern at about 10 metres, then repeated the maneuver and struck the ship, damaging metal stanchions and support structures on its starboard side. The DFA urged China to respect Philippine sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone and to refrain from actions that could heighten regional tensions.