Philippines, China vessels collide off Ayungin

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese vessels executing “dangerous blocking maneuvers” collided with Philippine boats en route to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.

NTF-WPS said Unaiza May 2, an Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted supply boat, was on a regular rotation and resupply mission to the Filipino military detachment manning the Sierra Madre at 6:04 a.m. yesterday when it was blocked by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5203.

The resupply boat was 13.5 nautical miles east-northeast from the grounded warship – the Sierra Madre – when the “provocative, irresponsible and illegal action of CCGV 5203 imperiled the safety of the crew of (Unaiza May 2),” the NTF-WPS said.

China state broadcaster CCTV, citing the foreign ministry, said the “slight collision” happened after Unaiza May 2 allegedly ignored “multiple warnings and deliberately passed through law enforcement in an unprofessional and dangerous manner.”

Video released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which was posted on the AFP’s official Twitter account, showed the bow of the CCG ship and the stern of the resupply vessel briefly touching. The Philippine vessel continues on its course, but it is not clear if there was any damage.

In the same resupply mission, Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00003 jolted the port side of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel MRRV 4409 while it was hovering 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal.

However, China has accused the PCG vessel of “deliberately” stirring up trouble by reversing in a “premeditated manner” into a Chinese fishing vessel.

The NTF-WPS said the resupply missions were still ongoing, with Unaiza May 1 successfully reaching Sierra Madre and delivering supplies to troops stationed in the detachment.

Lt. Col Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said that Unaiza May 2 remained afloat after the collision.

China said “responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines” for Sunday’s incidents.

The task force condemned the latest acts of “dangerous, irresponsible and illegal” aggression of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia.

“The National