South China Sea: Philippines, China trade blame after second collision at Sabina Shoal
- Philippine ship caused ‘deliberate’ collision, China says, as Manila alleges ‘aggressive’ moves by Chinese vessels including navy ship
A Philippine ship “refused to accept control” by a Chinese coastguard vessel and “deliberately collided” with it on Sunday, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said.
According to Gan, the ship delivered supplies to a Philippine coastguard vessel anchored at Sabina Shoal “despite repeated persuasion and warnings from China’s coastguard”.
“Filipino crew members who had fallen into the water” as a result of the collision were “immediately rescued on humanitarian grounds” by the Chinese coastguard, Gan added, saying Manila should take “full responsibility” for the incident.
However, the Philippines rejected this version of events, accusing the Chinese vessels instead of taking “aggressive and dangerous” action, including ramming and using water cannons on what it said was a fisheries bureau ship on a “humanitarian mission”.
According to Manila, the BRP Datu Sanday, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship, was targeted by eight Chinese vessels, including one from the navy.