Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) was surrounded by multiple Chinese vessels before being rammed by a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on Saturday, Aug. 31, a ranking official said.
The tense contact began around 8:30 a.m. when BRP Teresa Magbanua lifted her anchor and decided to loiter around Escoda Shoal, where she has been deployed since April 15, according to Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Tarriela said BRP Teresa Magbanua was met with an overwhelming number of Chinese maritime forces including 2 CCG vessels, two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy tugboats, and several Chinese maritime militia boats.
While on her voyage, a CCG vessel with bow number “5205” started shadowing BRP Teresa Magbanua.
Tarriela said that CCG 5205 then “carried out a dangerous maneuver” which resulted to its “direct ramming” of BRP Teresa Magbanua around 12:07 p.m., hitting the PCG ship’s port bow.
“Obviously, the China Coast Guard 5202 has ignored collision regulations because of such action,” he said in a press conference.
This was repeated two more times, hitting BRP Teresa Magbanua’s starboard quarter and port rim, he said.
“It is important for us to take note that this ramming happened despite our unprovoked action and presence in Escoda Shoal. The PCG vessel did not provoke or did not do anything while we are loitering around Escoda Shoal but the China Coast Guard vessel carried out dangerous maneuvers despite of being unprovoked,” he stressed.
However, the CCG put the blame on the PCG, saying it was BRP Teresa Magbanua who rammed CCG ship 5205. Video footages presented by Tarriela presented otherwise.
“The Philippine ship deliberately rammed into the Chinese ship 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing a collision for which the Philippines bears full responsibility,” the CCG said.
The latest incident was the eighth recorded confrontation between Chinese and Philippine forces in the WPS this month, including five times in Escoda Shoal.