The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported it has prevented a near-collision incident between its BRP Cabra against China Coast Guard (CCG) patrol ship with bow number 3302 on Sunday, which ignited fresh maritime tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a statement released on Monday, the PCG said the CCG vessel engaged in “reckless and dangerous maneuvers” that brought it dangerously close to the Filipino vessel, raising navigational safety concerns.
“An alarming incident this afternoon involved an attempted head-on collision with the smaller PCG vessel,” PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said of the encounter that happened near Capones Island in San Antonio, Zambales.
Tarriela noted that such actions raise concerns under the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), to which both the Philippines and China are signatories.
Despite the incident, PCG said the BRP Cabra continued its patrol and monitored the Chinese vessel, which later moved to a position approximately 92 to 96 nautical miles from Capones Island.
“It is only through the seamanship skills and professionalism of the crew of BRP Cabra (MRRV 4409) that such a collision was narrowly averted,” according to the PCG.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan reiterated his directive to all Coast Guard personnel deployed in the WPS to maintain their presence in a manner that affirms Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights without escalating tensions.
