The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) described as deceptive and misleading the claim of the Chinese Coast Guard about the collision of its ship with a Philippine vessel near the Ayungin Shoal.

But AFP spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad would not provide details of the reported collision between a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and a Philippine supply ship.

“The AFP will not discuss operational details on the legal humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, which is well within our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone),” said Trinidad.

“We will not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims of the China Coast Guard,” he added.

The main issue, according to Trinidad, is the illegal presence of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ EEZ, including the Ayungin Shoal where an old Philippine Navy shup is located and manned by Filipino soldiers.

Incidents of collisions and the use of high-pressure water cannons by Chinese Coast Guard vessels occurred in the past and were the subjects of several diplomatic protests by the Philippine government.

Civilian Philippine supply ships and Philippine Coast Guard vessels have been reported to have been damaged in the past incidents.

Trnidad said the presence of Chinese vessels in the country’s EEZ clearly infringes on Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights. 

“The continued aggressive actions of the CCG are escalating tensions in the region,” said Trinidad. 

China claims almost the entire South China Sea through its nine-dash line, a claim which was already rejected by a United Nations Tribunal in a case filed and won by the Philippine government in 2016.