(DDM) – Tensions in the South China Sea escalated this week after a Chinese warship collided with one of its own coast guard vessels while pursuing Philippine boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the incident occurred on Monday and was captured in dramatic footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard.
The video showed the Chinese vessel losing a prominent section of its bow following the impact, raising questions about navigational safety and operational coordination among Chinese maritime forces.
According to Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard, the collision happened while Philippine personnel were distributing aid to local fishermen operating in the contested waters.
The Scarborough Shoal, located approximately 140 miles west of Luzon, is one of the most hotly disputed features in the South China Sea, claimed by both China and the Philippines.
Tarriela explained that a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel was chasing the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Suluan at high speed when the accident occurred.
The pursuit was part of an ongoing pattern of aggressive maneuvers by Chinese forces in contested areas, a practice Manila has repeatedly condemned as dangerous and unlawful.
In recent years, confrontations at sea between the two nations have increased in both frequency and intensity, with vessels engaging in ramming, blocking, and water-cannon tactics.
The Monday collision stands out as a rare case where Chinese vessels inflicted damage on each other in the course of operations against the Philippines.
Analysts say the incident highlights the risks of miscalculation in the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims and militarized patrols create a constant environment of high tension.
China maintains that almost the entire South China Sea falls under its “historic rights,” a claim rejected by a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines.
The ruling, however, has not deterred Beijing from deploying coast guard ships, maritime militia vessels, and warships to enforce its claims.
Philippine officials have vowed to continue asserting their sovereign rights under international law, using both diplomatic protests and an expanded security partnership with the United States and other allies.
The United States has repeatedly affirmed that its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines applies to armed attacks against its public vessels in the South China Sea.
Observers warn that incidents like Monday’s collision not only risk physical damage but also increase the likelihood of a broader confrontation between China and nations operating in the disputed waters.
For now, Manila has used the incident to reinforce its call for adherence to international maritime norms and the avoidance of dangerous maneuvers that threaten lives and stability.