A brief video shared on the China Coast Guard’s social media shows the collision occurred at approximately 3:24 a.m. on Monday.

On August 19, 2024, a Philippine coast guard vessel and a Chinese coast guard vessel were observed sailing close together in the South China Sea.

The Philippine government has reported that two of its coast guard vessels were damaged in collisions with Chinese ships engaged in “unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres” near a disputed reef in the South China Sea.

According to Manila’s National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, the collisions occurred near Sabina Shoal before dawn on Monday. The task force stated that these incidents resulted in structural damage to both Philippine Coast Guard vessels.

Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general for the National Security Council, detailed that the BRP Cape Engano suffered a 13-centimetre hole in its right beam after a collision with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel at 3:24 a.m. local time, approximately 43 kilometres southeast of Sabina Shoal. Meanwhile, the BRP Bagacay was rammed twice on both sides by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel at 3:40 a.m., 39 kilometres northwest of Sabina Shoal, resulting in minor structural damage. The crew of both vessels was unharmed and continued their mission to resupply Philippine-held islands in the Spratly group.

China’s Coast Guard, however, has countered that a Philippine vessel deliberately collided with a Chinese vessel after ignoring repeated warnings. A video posted by China’s Coast Guard on social media shows the collision occurring at 3:24 a.m. local time and labels the Chinese vessel as a coast guard ship.

China’s maritime security spokesperson Gan Yu claimed that the Philippine vessel entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal after being barred from Sabina Shoal waters. Gan accused the Philippine vessels of “illegal intrusion” and asserted that China’s Coast Guard acted according to the law. He warned the Philippines to cease its “infringement and provocation” or face consequences.

Beijing asserts claims over almost the entire South China Sea, including both shoals, and rejects the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which deemed China’s claims to have no legal basis under international law. The international community has criticized China for its aggressive stance in obstructing Philippine efforts to resupply troops aboard a navy ship intentionally grounded over two decades ago. Last month, China and the Philippines reached a “provisional agreement” following ongoing tensions near Second Thomas Shoal.

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