China claims PH vessels 'trespassed' off Ayungin Shoal despite warnings
China Coast Guard (CCG) claimed the Philippine vessels "trespassed" in Ayungin Shoal despite "repeated warnings," prompting Chinese ships to block them on Sunday, Oct. 22.

The CCG also said that the Philippine vessels were "illegally carrying construction materials."
"At 6:14 a.m., the Philippine vessels trespassed into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands without permission," China Coast Guard Spokesman Gan Yu said in a statement on Sunday.
"Since the Philippine side ignored China’s repeated warnings, the China Coast Guard responded lawfully and blocked the Philippine vessels which were illegally carrying construction materials," Yu added.
Yu further said that the Philippine vessel Unaizah May 2 "sailed at the bow of China Coast Guard 5203 which was conducting law enforcement activities lawfully."
The CCG labeled it as "not professional nor safe in spite of China’s advanced notice and repeated warnings."
"At 8:13 a.m, the Philippine vessel 4409 began to astern deliberately, leading to collision of the stern of its vessel into the starboard of China’s static floating Qiong Sansha Yu 00003," Yu said.
"The move was to make faults with China and escalate the current situation. The Philippines’ action seriously violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and threatened the navigation safety of the Chinese vessels," Yu added.
China stressed that "the operation of Chinese side was professional, legitimate and lawful," adding that the "responsibility lay entirely with the Philippine side."
According to the National Task Force for West Philippine Sea, a China Coast Guard vessel with bow number 5203 "collided" with Unaiza May 2 at approximately 13.5 nautical miles east northeast from the position of BRP Sierra Madre at 6:04 a.m. on Sunday.
The incident took place while supply boats "Unaiza May 1" and "Unaiza May 2" were conducting a rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal while being escorted by PCG ships BRP Cabra (MRRV 4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV) 4407) when Chinese vessels allegedly attempted to block them and made dangerous maneuvers.
READ MORE: Chinese vessels collide with PCG ship, boat during resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal