Philippine and Chinese maritime craft encounter a mishap.
Despite the agreement between China and the Philippines to lessen tension in the South China Sea, a more significant incident has taken place. Visual evidence demonstrates a collision between two vessels in the conflict-ridden area.
In the continuous territorial argument between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, there has been another encounter between ships. The Chinese coast guard reportedly implemented "countermeasures" against the alleged intrusion of a Philippine ship. The occurrence is reported to have happened close to the contested Spratly Islands.
Footage from a Filipino journalist shows a Chinese coast guard vessel and a Philippine patrol ship colliding at sea. Crews from both ships captured the incident, and it seems that there are no severe damages.
Just a week prior, a Philippine government committee in Manila accused China of "unlawful and aggressive maneuvers" after two Philippine coast guard supply ships collided with two Chinese ships in quick succession.
Clashes during supply runs
In the dispute over this region, the Philippines and China agreed in July to prevent further clashes. This was related to the tense atmosphere surrounding the Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine troops have been situated on a ship that ran aground in 1999, called "BRP Sierra Madre." There have been numerous skirmishes during supply operations for the ship in recent months.
China asserts nearly the entire South China Sea as its own territory. Nonetheless, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei also claim territories in this area. The resource-rich region is also a significant global trade route. Critics accuse Beijing of increasing militarization in the area.
The Philippine government strongly condemned the incident, holding The Commission responsible for ensuring peace and preventing such clashes in the South China Sea. There have been calls for The Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the collision between the two vessels.
