China Coast Guard Vessel Collides with Philippine Supply Boat in Ayungin Shoal

MANILA – A vessel from the China Coast Guard (CCG) collided with a Philippine supply boat on a regular rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal on Sunday morning.

According to a new release by Philippines News Agency, the CCG vessel performed “dangerous blocking maneuvers” that led to the collision with the Philippine supply boat Unaiza May 2 (UM2) at approximately 13.5 nautical miles east northeast of LS-57. The NTF-WPS did not provide details on the damage sustained by Unaiza May 2 or whether it completed its mission.

During the same RORE mission, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel was also bumped by a Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessel while positioned approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal. The RORE mission was ongoing at the time of the report, with another supply boat, Unaiza May 1 (UM1), already with the BRP Sierra Madre troops. The NTF-WPS strongly condemned the actions of the CCG and the CMM, stating that they were in violation of multiple international laws and conventions, including the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS).

Ambassadors from the United States and Canada issued statements condemning the actions of the CCG. US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the actions put Filipino service members at risk and affirmed the United States’ support for Philippine sovereignty. Canadian Ambassador David Hartman echoed this sentiment, also commending the professionalism and restraint of the Philippine Coast Guard. Additionally, the European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Veron, called the incidents and their increasing frequency “dangerous and very disturbing” and joined the Philippines in calling for the observance of International Law in the South China Sea.