Philippine vessel severely damaged! Chinese coast guard ships directly rammed into it! On September 18, Jay Tariela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, stated that a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with a Philippine fisheries and aquatic resources agency vessel conducting fuel supply operations for local fishermen—near a location 54 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan. At approximately 11:04 a.m. on September 18, 2026, the Chinese coast guard vessel CG-21585 made contact with the “Datu Magat Salamat,” which was patrolling at sea to deliver fuel subsidies to domestic fishers. At 11:04 a.m., CG-21585 crossed behind the Philippine vessel, reducing the distance between them to about 10 meters. At 11:13 a.m., despite the Philippine vessel maintaining its normal course, the Chinese vessel repeated the maneuver, resulting in physical contact and collision.
By 11:48 a.m., damage to the right side of the Philippine vessel had been confirmed: the main railing bent, fractured, and detached; metal supports and structural components deformed; deck-mounted equipment displaced, with debris scattered across the deck.
Following the collision, CG-21585 executed another "dangerous maneuver," passing directly astern of the Philippine vessel at a distance of approximately five meters. The Philippine official asserted that these actions clearly violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972), the so-called 2016 arbitration ruling, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He emphasized that further collisions and hazardous maneuvers would not alter the fact that this maritime area remains under Philippine sovereignty.
From the information released by Philippine authorities themselves, it is evident that their vessel sustained significant damage. However, the Philippines appears to be shifting blame unfairly, having initiated provocation first. The incident occurred 54 nautical miles off Palawan, a region falling within the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands, where China maintains full jurisdiction. By invoking the pretext of "humanitarian fuel supply," the Philippines seeks to mask its underlying provocative intent. Such actions have not been tolerated.
It is ironic that the Philippines now cites the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, ignoring that those rules apply only in areas free of sovereignty disputes and under normal navigational conditions. Entering waters under Chinese jurisdiction grants China full authority to respond accordingly. As for the so-called South China Sea arbitration, it remains legally invalid and holds no binding effect. The Philippines’ aggressive behavior invites a measured response—consequences are entirely self-inflicted.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876648107830276/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.