The Philippine Coast Guard has reported one other “dangerous” run-in with the China Coast Guard at Second Thomas Shoal, a reef guarded by a Philippine navy outpost. The encounter included two minor collisions and 4 injured personnel, in line with the PCG.

On the morning of March 5, the Philippine Coast Guard started an everyday resupply mission to the garrison on BRP Sierra Madre, the grounded WWII-era LST that serves as a base on the reef. As in previous missions, the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia “harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous maneuvers” to cease the availability boats and intrude with the mission of the PCG. 

At about 0630 hours within the morning, certainly one of these maneuvers resulted within the collision of a China Coast Guard patrol boat and the PCG vessel MRRV 4407. The “minor collision” prompted superficial injury to the hull of the MRRV. 

At 815, one other China Coast Guard vessel prompted a minor collision with the availability boat Unaizah May 4 throughout an tried blocking maneuver. At about the identical time, two different CCG vessels used their water cannons on the Unaizah May, breaking the home windows of the pilot home and injuring 4 folks on board. 

Statement of the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea

This morning, China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed harmful maneuvers in one other try and illegally impede or hinder a routine… pic.twitter.com/uJ1kjDR6zq

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) March 5, 2024

The injured personnel had been handled on scene by the crew of MRRV 4407, and the mission command made the choice to show Unaizah May 4 round as a result of injury. The vessel retreated to a secure port on the principle island of Palawan, escorted by the MRRV.

A video of the scene launched by a pro-Philippine media group appeared to point out a China Coast Guard cutter making approach astern at a number of knots whereas pursuing one of many provide vessels, an unorthodox method to close-quarters maneuvering. 

EXCLUSIVE I Watch the #Philippine Supply Vessel Unaiza May efficiently evaded a blocking maneuver by a #ChinaCoastGuard vessel, guaranteeing the important resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre continued unhindered. A testomony to resilience and dedication within the #WestPhilippineSea. pic.twitter.com/4cpNyh43aV

— BRP Sierra Madre (@BRPSierraMadre) March 4, 2024

The second provide vessel made it by means of the Chinese cordon and delivered its items efficiently to the BRP Seirra Madre. 

“Once again, China’s latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, have put the lives of our people at risk and caused actual injury to Filipinos on board UM4,” mentioned the PCG in a press release. “The systematic and consistent manner in which the People’s Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue and lessening of tensions.” 

The interplay occurred inside the Philippine unique financial zone. China asserts that it has sovereignty over the world, together with many of the South China Sea, although its sweeping claims had been dominated invalid by the Permanent Court of Arbitration within the Hague eight years in the past. 

The U.S. Embassy in Manila expressed solidarity with the Philippines and spoke out towards the China Coast Guard’s actions. 

“We strongly condemn the PRC’s dangerous maneuvers at Ayungin/Second Thomas Shoal, which endangered lives, resulted in injuries, and damaged [Philippine Coast Guard] vessels in the EEZ. The U.S. stands with the Philippines and proponents of international law in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” mentioned U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson in a press release.