China violated anti-collision rules in latest WPS incident – PCG

Drone shot provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a China Coast Guard ship sailing past the BRP Teresa Magbanua during its nine-day patrol at Scarborough Shoal.

MANILA, Philippines — China violated international rules tom prevent maritime collisions during the Philippine Coast Guard’s nine-day patrol in Bajo de Masinloc, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela said on Monday.  

According to Tarriela, the PCG monitored four Chinese Coast Guard vessels and four Chinese Maritime Militia boats near the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

“At the same time nag cross din sila ng ating bow ng Philippine Coast Guard vessel, which is a violation of International Collision of Regulation (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) or the COLREGS. Dalawang beses nila ginawa ito,” said Tarriela on the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing. 

(At the same time, they crossed the bow of the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, which is a violation of International Collision of Regulation or the COLREGS. They did this twice.) 

Tarriela also said that the Chinese vessels shadowed the PCG forty times, and they also blocked national vessels four times.   

Despite this, Tarriela said that the mission was still a success. The PCG were still able to conduct their patrols and secure Filipino fisherfolk in the area. 

China has continuously encroached upon Philippine waters, despite the Permanent Court of Arbitration rendering their claim baseless. 

Despite this, China has aggressively confronted Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.