(Manila) The Philippine government on Monday accused Chinese ships of ramming and damaging boats in the disputed South China Sea, during a confrontation off the coast of the Second Thomas Shoal Atoll, where the Philippine navy is stationed.
“Vessels of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including collisions and towing,” the Manila Sea Task Force said. Western Philippines in a statement.
“Their actions endangered the lives of our staff and damaged our boats,” she added.
The press release did not specify which ships were damaged, or the extent of the damage.
These incidents often took place during resupply missions by the Philippines for its troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a military vessel deliberately beached on the atoll with the aim of making it an outpost and asserting its claims. of sovereignty over China.
Second Thomas Atoll is located approximately 200 km from the Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1,000 km from the nearest major Chinese island, Hainan.
China’s coast guard said early Monday that a Philippine supply ship in the area had “ignored numerous solemn warnings from China” and “taken control measures” against it “in accordance with the law “.
The boat “approached the […] Chinese vessel in an unprofessional manner, resulting in a collision,” Beijing said.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro vowed that the Philippine military would resist Chinese actions.
“We will make every effort to fulfill our mandate to protect our territorial integrity, our sovereignty and our sovereign rights,” he assured.
