The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said the Philippines bears no responsibility for the collision between two Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) on Aug. 11.
“The Philippines bears no responsibility for the collision between the PLAN vessel and the CCG vessel in Bajo de Masinloc. It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions,” DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said in a statement via Malacañang.
The incident occurred when the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104 and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship 164 were chasing the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Suluan, which was on a mission to deliver supplies to Filipino fisherfolk. A risky maneuver by the CCG ship led to its collision with the Chinese warship, leaving the CCG vessel heavily damaged and unseaworthy.
Chinese maritime expert Yang Xiao claimed the Philippines should bear “all losses” and accused the Filipino vessel of provoking the incident. However, DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona confirmed no compensation demand has been made by Beijing.
Bajo de Masinloc, an integral part of Philippine territory, remains a flashpoint in the West Philippine Sea dispute. Stratbase ADR Institute president Victor Andres Manhit said the collision underscores the urgency of defending international law and the 2016 Arbitral Award, calling China’s actions a “direct affront” to global peace and stability.