Philippine Coast Guard Accuses China of Damaging Boat in South China Sea Standoff

The Philippine Coast Guard has accused China of attacking one of its boats during a standoff in the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea. The incident occurred on Monday when two Philippine vessels on maritime patrol encountered four China Coast Guard ships and six vessels from its maritime militia in the area.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, one of its ships was struck by water cannon from a Chinese Coast Guard ship, while the other was hit by water cannon fired from two Chinese ships. "The ship's railing and canopy were damaged, and this functions as proof of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels," the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement.

China has claimed it "expelled" the Philippine vessels from the area, which is a traditional fishing ground and provides shelter in stormy weather. However, the Philippines has rejected this claim, calling it "propaganda" and stating that its vessels stood their ground and will continue to carry out legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen.

The Philippines has also accused China of reinstalling a barrier about 415 yards long across the entrance to the Scarborough Shoal, which lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. The two countries have been involved in multiple incidents in the disputed South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety under a nine-dash line that an international tribunal ruled in 2016 to be without merit.

Why this matters: The standoff at the Scarborough Shoal highlights the ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial relations in the strategically important South China Sea. The incident also underscores the challenges faced by smaller nations in the region as they seek to assert their maritime rights in the face of China's growing military presence and assertiveness.

The Philippine Coast Guard has vowed to continue its patrols and operations in the West Philippine Sea, the country's official term for the eastern parts of the South China Sea, to protect the rights and safety of Filipino fishermen. "We will not be intimidated by these actions and will continue to provide a visible maritime presence to ensure the safety and well-being of our Filipino fishermen in the area," said Admiral Artemio Abu, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Key Takeaways

• Philippine Coast Guard accuses China of attacking its boats in Scarborough Shoal.
• China claims it "expelled" Philippine vessels, which the Philippines rejects as "propaganda".
• Philippines accuses China of reinstalling a barrier across the entrance to Scarborough Shoal.
• Incident highlights ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea.
• Philippine Coast Guard vows to continue patrols to protect Filipino fishermen in the area.