Philippines says Chinese ship rammed vessel in disputed sea, Beijing says Manila fully responsible

MANILA: A Chinese ship “deliberately rammed” a Philippine government vessel anchored near an island in a disputed part of the South China Sea, Manila’s coast guard said on Sunday (Oct 12). Beijing blamed the Philippines for the boat collision, saying Manila was fully responsible.

The Philippines said a Chinese coast guard ship “fired its water cannon” at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a vessel belonging to Manila’s fisheries bureau, at 9.15 am on Sunday.

“Just three minutes later … the same (Chinese) vessel deliberately rammed the stern” of the Philippine boat, “causing minor structural damage but no injuries to the crew”, the statement said.

Chinese coast guard spokesman Liu Dejun said the incident occurred when the Philippine ship “ignored repeated stern warnings from the Chinese side, and dangerously approached” the other ship.

“Full responsibility lies with the Philippine side,” Liu said in an online statement.

Manila’s coast guard said the incident took place near Thitu Island, part of the Spratly island group where Beijing has sought to assert its sovereignty claims for years.

“Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions … we will not be intimidated or driven away,” the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels occur frequently in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.