China Coast Guard Rams Philippine Fishing Boat in South China Sea

A China Coast Guard vessel rammed a Philippine fishing boat in the South China Sea on Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard said, in the latest confrontation between the two countries in disputed waters.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat was distributing fuel assistance to Filipino fishermen about 54 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan province when the incident occurred, according to the coast guard.

The coast guard said the China Coast Guard vessel carried out a series of dangerous manoeuvres before making contact with the Philippine ship at 11:13 a.m. local time (0313 GMT).

In a statement, the coast guard described the collision as a deliberate ramming of a civilian government vessel on a humanitarian and livelihood mission.

The impact bent, broke and detached sections of the vessel's starboard-side railings, deformed metal stanchions and support structures, and displaced deck fixtures and equipment, leaving debris scattered across the deck, the coast guard added.

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Friday's incident follows a July encounter in which Manila accused Beijing of firing water cannon at government vessels near Scarborough Shoal and striking a Philippine Navy staff member on the head with a wooden baton during an encounter in the Second Thomas Shoal.