(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday night condemned the actions of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel that led to a minor collision that damaged Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat.
“There is no justification for the CCG vessel to undertake aggressive actions against a Philippine civilian law enforcement vessel, and cause damage to the ship and endanger the safety of the civilian crew,” it said in a statement.
The DFA argued that the Filipino vessel was merely conducting a routine and lawful humanitarian activities to support Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.
“The CCG vessel's illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous acts are inconsistent with China's obligations under international law,” it said, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), and the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS).
“The Philippines calls on China to respect Philippine sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone in accordance with UNCLOS as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award, exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions in the region,” it said.
The ramming caused visible damage to the vessel and occurred approximately 54 nautical miles from Palawan, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
BRP Datu Magat Salamat was also the same vessel that ran aground at Hasa-Hasa Shoal on Sept. 17, while approaching Filipino fishing boats to distribute fuel.
Friday's incident involved CCG vessel CCG-21585 and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat, which was carrying out a fuel-subsidy mission for Filipino fishermen on Sept. 18.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) the Chinese vessel first crossed behind the BRP Datu Magat Salamat at a distance of about 10 meters at 11:04 a.m. It repeated the maneuver about nine minutes later and made contact with the Philippine vessel, which was maintaining its course.
The PCG also reported that the CCG vessel made another dangerous maneuver after the collision, passing directly astern of the BFAR ship at a distance of about five meters. PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered maritime and air assets to proceed to the area to assist the vessel and ensure the safety of its crew.
China, however, disputed Manila's account. Its coast guard said the Philippine vessel ignored warnings, altered its course and suddenly accelerated across the Chinese vessel's bow, placing responsibility for the collision on the Philippine side.
The collision came a day after the BRP Datu Magat Salamat had run aground at Hasa-Hasa Shoal while approaching Filipino fishing boats to distribute fuel. The PCG assisted in refloating the vessel and reported that a Chinese aircraft was monitoring the operation.
Concern over PH civilian mission
Jose Antonio Goitia, chairman emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement, said the presence of the Philippine ship in the disputed area was a "civilian mission, not a confrontation."
“The Philippine vessel was there to assist our fishermen, yet according to the PCG, it was subjected to dangerous maneuvers,” said Goitia.
“A peaceful government mission should never be met with conduct that puts lives and vessels at risk,” he added.
Goitia said the conflicting accounts should be resolved through objective evidence, including vessel movements, communications and available video of the incident.
He said the Philippines should continue exercising its lawful maritime rights while avoiding unnecessary escalation.
“The Philippines does not seek confrontation, but neither can intimidation determine where our government can lawfully operate,” Goitia said.
“We must remain disciplined and professional while standing firmly on our rights under international law,” he added.
For Goitia, the nature of the Philippine mission makes it important that the incident not deter government agencies from performing legitimate functions in the West Philippine Sea.
“The vessel can be repaired. The incident can be investigated. But no collision can redefine the Philippines’ lawful maritime rights,” he said.
Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers on Saturday called China's action a “reckless aggression” that endangered Filipino lives.
“The Chinese were not confronting an enemy warship. They were confronting a Philippine government vessel helping Filipino fishermen. Yet they chose to use dangerous maneuvers that could have cost Filipino lives,” Barbers said.
“China cannot simply impose its will through intimidation, dangerous maneuvers and physical force. The West Philippine Sea is not a lawless zone where the biggest ship gets to dictate the rules. International law governs the seas, not the size of a country’s navy or coast guard,” he said.
Barbers said the Philippine vessel was not conducting an offensive military operation but was performing a government mission to assist Filipino fishermen.
“These were Filipino fishermen being assisted by their own government. To endanger a Philippine vessel performing that mission is not merely provocative—it is a direct affront to the rights and welfare of our people,” he said.
He said the Philippines should document and protest such incidents through available legal and diplomatic mechanisms while continuing to exercise its maritime rights with discipline and restraint.
“China should understand that its coercive tactics will not erase Philippine rights. Filipino fishermen have the right to pursue their livelihood, and Philippine government vessels have the right to perform lawful missions in our EEZ. Ramming a Philippine ship will not make China’s claims more legitimate—it only demonstrates why the rules-based international order must be defended,” Barbers said.
