Manila calls the South China Sea waters to the immediate west of the Philippines the West Philippine Sea.įoreign diplomats in Manila were swift to criticise the Chinese actions. 'No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea.'

'The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,' Marcos said in a statement on Facebook. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos issued a statement late Sunday saying that the country remained 'undeterred' following the latest incidents. It took 'control measures' against the other Philippine supply boat, which was allegedly 'carrying construction materials' to the grounded warship on which the garrison is located.

The Philippine boat 'changed direction suddenly in an unprofessional, dangerous manner, deliberately colliding with our Coast Guard Vessel 21556, which was on a normal law enforcement route, and caused a scrape', the China Coast Guard said in a statement. The China Coast Guard, however, accused the Philippine boat of 'deliberately colliding' with the Chinese vessel after 'disregarding our multiple stern warnings'. That caused 'severe damage' to the engine of one of the supply boats and damaged the mast of the coast guard vessel, it said. One of two boats carrying provisions was 'rammed' by a Chinese coast guard ship, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement.Ī Chinese ship also used water cannon against the two supply boats and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting the mission, the multi-agency task force said. The Philippines said Sunday that 'China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels harassed, blocked and executed dangerous manoeuvres on Philippine civilian supply vessels'. It deploys boats to patrol the busy waterway and has built artificial islands that it has militarised to reinforce its claims. Longstanding tensions between Manila and Beijing over the sea have flared in recent months following multiple incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels, including two previous collisions.Ĭhina claims almost the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands near the shores of its neighbours, and has ignored an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis.

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