Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela showed videos of Saturday’s confrontation at a press conference, saying China Coast Guard vessel 5205 “directly and intentionally rammed the Philippine vessel” without provocation.
The ramming damaged the 97m Teresa Magbanua, one of the Philippines’ largest coast guard cutters, but no personnel were injured, Tarriela said.
Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for China’s coast guard, said in a statement a Philippine ship, “illegally stranded” at the shoal, had lifted anchor and “deliberately rammed” a Chinese vessel. He called on the Philippines to withdraw immediately or bear the consequences.
“The Chinese coast guard will take the measures required to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Liu said.
Tarriela said Manila would not withdraw its ship “despite the harassment, the bullying activities and escalatory action of the Chinese coast guard”.
The Philippines deployed a ship in April to the Sabina Shoal, 75 nautical miles from the coast of the Philippine province of Palawan. Manila accused Beijing of building an artificial island, saying it had documented piles of dead and crushed coral on the sandbars, which Beijing denies.
This week the Philippine maritime council said Chinese aircraft made unsafe manoeuvres against a civilian aircraft conducting patrols over two other disputed areas, the Scarborough Shoal and Subi reef.
The Philippines accused China of blocking a routine resupply mission on Sunday, saying Chinese vessels rammed and used water cannons on a fisheries bureau ship transporting food, fuel and medical supplies for Filipino fishermen.
