Collision of 2 Chinese ships 'entirely resulting from their conduct'—NMC
The National Maritime Council (NMC) said the collision of two Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc was entirely due to their own actions.
This 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. (Photo from Philippine Coast Guard)
In a statement over the August 11 incident at the Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, the NMC expressed concern over the "aggressive and dangerous" maneuvers made by People's Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard vessels, unlawfully interfering with the Philippines' humanitarian mission for Filipino fisherfolk in the area.
Their actions eventually caused the collision of the two Chinese vessels, which the NMC said was due to their own conduct.
"The two Chinese vessels actions eventually resulted in their own collision, severely damaging the forecastle of CCG 3104 and rendering it unseaworthy. It is a very unfortunate outcome, but it was something entirely resulting from the two vessels' conduct," the NMC said.
According to the NMC, the illegal actions of Chinese vessels— PLAN 164 and CCG 3104— included obstruction and water cannon deployment against BRP Suluan (MRRV 4406), which was conducting the humanitarian operation along with BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV 9701).
The NMC stressed that "such behavior posed a significant risk to the safety of Philippine personnel and vessels, as well as Filipino fisherfolk."
After the two Chinese vessels collided, the Philippines side offered medical assistance to the Chinese side.
"Notwithstanding, in genuine adherence to the international principles on the safety of life at sea, the Philippines (BRP Teresa Magbanua) swiftly offered medical assistance to any injured Chinese personnel and other relevant support to the Chinese side," the NMC said.
" While we await the Chinese response, we maintain our readiness to help tow CCG 3104 from the area to ensure the safety of navigation for all vessels," it added.
The Philippines renewed its call for Chinese authorities "to exercise self restraint, maintain safety of navigation, and refrain from conducting aggressive and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels on routine operations within its own maritime zones."
The council added that "the Philippines will continue to assert its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which includes the territorial sea of Bajo de Masinloc, and protect and support its fisherfolk in the exercise of their fishing rights in the WPS, in accordance with international law, while upholding peaceful means of managing or settling disputes."