WASHINGTON, DC – According to a statement by a senior US Coast Guard (USCG) official, the recent incident involving the ramming of a Filipino vessel by a Chinese Coast Guard ship is a clear violation of international maritime law. Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, Deputy Commander of the USCG Pacific Area, addressed the issue during a virtual conference on Tuesday. He criticized the actions of the Chinese vessels as unsafe, unprofessional, and contradictory to their own statements of law enforcement.
According to Philippines News Agency, The conflict occurred on August 25 near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, where multiple vessels from the Chinese Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army Navy, including ship 626, attempted to encircle and harass the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship BRP Datu Sanday. The incident escalated when Chinese vessel 21551 rammed into the Filipino ship, causing damage and endangering the lives of onboard journalists and crew. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported that the aggressive maneuvers also included the use of horns and water cannons, leading to engine failure on the Filipino vessel.
In response to these events, the Chinese Foreign Ministry defended the actions of its coast guard as “professional, restrained, and appropriate.” However, Sugimoto strongly disagreed with this characterization, highlighting the dangerous and irresponsible nature of the maneuvers. He praised the Philippines for handling the situation professionally and emphasized the ongoing support of the US in strengthening the Philippine Coast Guard’s capabilities through training and maritime domain awareness.
Hasa-Hasa Shoal and Sabina Shoal, the locations near where these incidents took place, are both within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The international community, including several countries and the European Union, has expressed concern over the continued aggressive actions by China in the West Philippine Sea.