Chinese Navy, Coast Guard Collide Near Scarborough Shoal Amid Philippines Chase

A collision occurred between two Chinese vessels—a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and a Chinese Navy warship—while they were pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol boat near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, a contested area claimed by both China and the Philippines. The incident happened during the PCG's mission to deliver aid and supplies to Filipino fishermen operating in the area under the "Kadiwa Para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda" program. The CCG vessel 3104, in high-speed pursuit of the Philippine vessel BRP Suluan, executed a risky maneuver that caused it to collide with the Chinese Navy destroyer 164, damaging the CCG ship's forecastle and rendering it unseaworthy. Philippine officials reported hazardous maneuvers and blocking actions by Chinese vessels, including the use of water cannons, while escorting about 35 fishing boats to safety. The Philippines offered assistance to the Chinese crew members who fell overboard or were injured, but there was no confirmation of casualties from either side. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where China asserts control despite international rulings against its claims, and underscores the risks faced by Filipino fishermen and patrols in contested waters.