No mention of WPS collision as China justifies PCG chase
The image shows the exact moment when China Coast Guard (CCG) ship "3104" collided with a Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warship "164" while chasing BRP Suluan in Bajo de Masinloc, West Philippine Sea on Aug. 11, 2025. (Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
China insisted that it performed a professional and lawful operation when it chased a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship that ended in a collision with its own navy warship near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday, Aug. 11.
In a statement released by Chinese state media Global Times, China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesperson Gan Yu accused the Philippines of intruding into Bajo de Masinloc.
The shoal is located within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, approximately 124 nautical miles east of Zambales, but is tightly guarded by Chinese forces.
“On Monday, the Philippines sent multiple coast guard and government vessels, under the pretext of delivering supplies to fishing boats, to forcibly intrude into waters near China’s Huangyan Dao, despite repeated dissuasion and warnings from the Chinese side,” he said, using the Chinese name it uses for Bajo de Masinloc.
Gan said that the CCG “took all necessary measures, including tracking, monitoring, blocking, and controlling, to drive the Philippine vessels away”, but noted that their operation was “in accordance with the law.”
“On-site operations were conducted in a professional, standard, and lawful manner,” he added.
The Chinese official, however, did not mention anything about the collision of CCG ship with bow number “3104” and a Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warship with tail number “164” approximately 10.5 nautical miles east of Bajo de Masinloc.
The CCG ship was chasing PCG vessel BRP Suluan when the incident occurred.
The collision resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel's forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy, according to the PCG.
The crew of BRP Suluan offered support to the CCG vessel, including assistance with man-overboard recovery and medical aid for any injured CCG crew members, even if they were targeted by water cannon by the Chinese forces.
The incident occurred as the PCG was distributing fuel and other supplies to Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc.
As a result of the incident, the Department of National Defense (DND) criticized China's reckless maneuvers in the WPS.