CNN Indonesia
Sunday, 22 Oct 2023 18:10 IWST
The Philippines and China are accusing each other of the collision between ships between the two countries in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea, which is a dispute between Manila and Beijing. (REUTERS/PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Filipina and China mutual accusations regarding the collision incident between ships of the two countries in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea on Sunday (22/10). The area is still disputed between Manila and Beijing.
The Philippine task force blamed the dangerous maneuvers of the Chinese coast guard ship (CCG) 5203 for causing the collision at Second Thomas Shoal.
“The ship collided with a logistics ship contracted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the Philippines was quoted as saying AFP.
Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the island of Palawan in the western Philippines. This area is also more than 1,000 kilometers from Hainan Island, China.
A video released by the Philippine military shows the bow of a Chinese coast guard ship and the stern of a supply ship touching each other.
So far, there is no further information regarding damage to the Philippine ship. After the incident, the Manila ship continued its journey to supply logistics to the troops.
Meanwhile, China stated that this “minor collision” occurred after the supply ship ignored various warnings.
“And deliberately ignoring the law in an unprofessional and dangerous manner,” the official release from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quoted as saying CCTV.
In another incident, Filipino and Chinese ships also collided.
The Philippines said a Chinese Maritime Militia ship rammed its coast guard carrying routine supplies.
Responding to the two incidents, the West Philippine Maritime Task Force condemned China’s actions.
“Dangerous, irresponsible and illegal actions by Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels this morning [membahayakan keselamatan awak kapal kami],” said a release from the Philippine Task Force.
Meanwhile, China stated that the collision was entirely the responsibility of the Philippines.
The Philippines and China have a long history of maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
This Southeast Asian country has posts on nine coral reefs and islands in the Spratlys, including Second Thomas Shoal.
(isa/rds)
Watch the Video Below:
2023-10-22 11:10:10
#ChinesePhilippine #Military #Ship #Collisions #South #China #Sea #BeijingManila #Quarrel
