During a routine rotation and reprovisioning mission to the BRP SIERRA MADRE on a Sunday morning, a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel collided with an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-contracted resupply boat. The collision was attributed to the CCG’s dangerous blocking maneuvers, according to the AFP’s report. This incident has raised concerns over maritime safety in the region and highlights the ongoing tensions between the two nations.

A Philippine Coast Guard vessel was also bumped by a Chinese Maritime Militia vessel while northeast of Ayungin Shoal in the same RoRe mission, AFP added.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned these acts.

The NTF-WPS condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia done this morning, in violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction and in utter blatant disregard of the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and relevant international maritime conventions, and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the NTF-WPS said.