Chinese coast guard ships reportedly obstructed Philippine vessels at a disputed South China Sea shoal on Tuesday, resulting in a minor collision, according to Philippine officials.
The incident involved dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese vessels against two Philippine ships, leading to a collision between a Philippine coast guard vessel and a Chinese coast guard ship, causing minor structural damage to the Philippine boat.
Details regarding the exact location of the confrontation were not disclosed by the Philippine coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela. However, it was mentioned that navy personnel were scheduled to deliver supplies and fresh troops to the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, where several clashes between the two nations occurred last year.
The territorial disputes in the South China Sea are anticipated to be a key topic at an upcoming summit of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their Australian counterpart.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized during a forum in Melbourne that his administration is committed to safeguarding the country's territory and will take necessary actions to address any threats. Despite this stance, he reiterated the importance of pursuing dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes with China.
