MANILA, Philippines — Tensions have escalated between the Philippines and China after a Chinese Coast Guard vessel repeatedly rammed the BRP Teresa Magbanua in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea.

According to Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, deployed near Escoda Shoal, was repeatedly struck by China Coast Guard vessel 5025 on Saturday.

The ship, which remained anchored inside Sabina Shoal, sustained damage to its bridge wing and freeboard due to the ramming by the Chinese vessel. No injuries to the crew were reported.

Furthermore, Tarriela presented to the press drone footage showing that tugboats 175 and 185 of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, along with CCG warships 4301 and 3104 and Chinese maritime militias, had initially surrounded the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

“Unprofessional and dangerous manner” – China

However, Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Liu Dejun claimed that the incident occurred after the BRP Teresa Magbanua maneuvered in what he described as an “unprofessional and dangerous manner.” He also asserted that vessel 5025 was operating within regulations prior to the incident.

The Chinese coast guard ship 5205 “lawfully issued verbal warnings and conducted monitoring and control measures” against the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which “continued its provocations at China’s Xianbin Jiao,” Liu said.

Liu also called on the Philippines to withdraw its vessel immediately or bear the consequences.

“The Chinese coast guard will take the measures required to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance, and infringement and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Liu added.

Philippine Government Expresses Serious Concern

Following the incident between Chinese and Philippine vessels, National Maritime Council spokesman Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez expressed serious concern on behalf of the Philippines.

“Well, the position of the government, especially the National Maritime Council, is that we take this with serious concern,” Lopez said in a press briefing.

Additionally, a report will be sent for appropriate action to the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Vice Admiral stated, “This is part of the reports that we will be submitting to the Department of Foreign Affairs, and then the DFA will come up with its own study to determine the most appropriate actions.”

Lopez also emphasized that China’s presence in Escoda Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, is illegal.

He continued by stating that the Philippine Coast Guard is exercising its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Escoda Shoal in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea.

“So, the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are the ones illegally [patrolling]. Yung presence nila dyan ang illegal. We are there on a legal basis dahil atin yun. Hindi tayo pwedeng magpaalam sa sariling bahay natin. Let us be very clear about that,” he said.

China Warns the Philippines, U.S. Condemns China’s Violation

China has issued a strong warning to the Philippines in response to the incident, with the Chinese Coast Guard vowing to “resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance, and infringement.” They also urged the Philippines to leave the disputed “Xianbin Jiao.”

These developments reflect Beijing’s willingness to adopt a tough stance on issues involving disputed waters, as evidenced by their call for the Philippines to “face up to reality and abandon illusions.”

Meanwhile, the United States expressed support for the Philippines.

“The U.S. condemns the multiple dangerous violations of international law by the PRC (People’s Republic of China), including today’s intentional ramming of the BRP Teresa Magbanua while it was conducting lawful operations within the Philippine EEZ. We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law,” Ambassador MaryKay Carlson stated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

📷 Philippine Coast Guard