China’s CCG 3104, which was pursuing the Suluan at high speed, executed a dangerous maneuver causing it to collide with PLAN Warship No. 164.
vessels were again harassed by China during another mission on Monday to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan, together with government-owned fish carrier MV Pamamalakaya, encountered “hazardous” maneuvers and blocking actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) about 19.4 kilometers (10.5 nautical miles) east of Panatag Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc.
“In particular, the MRRV 2206 (BRP Suluan) was targeted with a water cannon, but the seamanship skills of PCG crew members allowed the vessel to successfully evade getting hit,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
At one point, CCG 3104, which was pursuing the Suluan at high speed, executed a dangerous maneuver from the vessel’s starboard quarter, causing it to collide with PLAN Warship No. 164.
The collision left the CCG ship’s forecastle or its forward part heavily damaged and unseaworthy, according to Tarriela.
There were also other Chinese ships in the area, such as CCG Vessels 3304 and 3301.
The Northern Luzon Naval Command said it had deployed BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), which prompted the Chinese vessels to “alter their course” after a radio challenge and “continuous monitoring” by the Philippine Navy ships.
