The Philippines expresses its dissatisfaction following a close encounter between a Chinese coast guard ship and a Philippine vessel.

ABOARD BRP SINDANGAN — A Chinese coast guard ship came within a meter (3 feet) of colliding with a Philippine patrol ship it was trying to block in the South China Sea, in an alarming incident that intensified fears that territorial disputes in the waters could spark a larger crisis.

On Friday, the actions of the Chinese ship near Second Thomas Shoal were strongly condemned by the Philippines. This area is claimed by both countries and has been a site of frequent conflicts.

During the incident on Wednesday, a Chinese coast guard and militia ships surrounded and obstructed another vessel from the Philippine coast guard. This encounter lasted for approximately eight hours. If a significant conflict were to arise in the disputed waters, it could potentially trigger the involvement of the United States. As a treaty ally of the Philippines, the US has made a commitment to protect them in the event of armed attacks on Filipino forces, ships, and aircraft.

Two smaller supply boats being escorted by the Philippine coast guard in the contested waters managed to breach the Chinese blockade and delivered food and other supplies to a Filipino marine outpost at the shoal.

“At the briefing on Friday, Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, expressed strong disapproval towards the actions of the Chinese coast guard vessel. He stated that they have been disregarding international law, specifically the regulations regarding collisions.”

Tarriela stated that a potential collision was prevented when the BRP Sindangan, one of the Philippine coast guard vessels, quickly reversed its engine to avoid crashing into the Chinese coast guard ship. The Chinese ship had crossed in front of it at a mere one-meter distance.

He stated that it is the most perilous action performed by a Chinese coast guard vessel towards a Philippine patrol ship.

Several journalists, including those from The Associated Press, observed the incident. They were invited by the Philippine coast guard to be part of the voyage, which was a strategic move to reveal Chinese aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

A small contingent of Filipino marines and navy personnel has stood guard for years on a long-marooned but still commissioned warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, at the shoal. China has surrounded it with its coast guard ships and militia vessels to prevent the Philippines from delivering construction materials that Beijing fears could be used to reinforce the Sierra Madre and turn it into a permanent territorial outpost.

On Wednesday, the conflict started early in the morning as a Chinese coast guard ship closely followed the Philippine vessels heading towards Second Thomas Shoal. Subsequently, a group of Chinese coast guard and militia ships, which included a navy warship, appeared and created a barrier in the open waters near the shoal.

The Chinese coast guard radio operator continuously claimed to the BRP Sindangan that China has unquestionable control over Second Thomas Shoal and the surrounding waters. The Chinese radio operator cautioned to leave and stay away to prevent any misunderstandings.

The personnel from the coast guard of the Philippines replied by affirming the rights of the Philippines to that particular region and stated their intention to continue with the transportation of the provisions.

On Wednesday night, the Chinese coast guard released a statement expressing their disapproval of the Philippine vessels entering their waters without authorization. They strongly objected to the illegal transportation of building materials to the stranded military boat by the Philippines. The Chinese coast guard issued a stern warning to the Philippine vessels and closely monitored their activities.

It was the latest flare-up in long-simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest trade routes. The conflicts, which involve China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, are regarded as a potential flashpoint and have become a delicate fault line in U.S.-China rivalry in the region.

In the beginning of August, a Chinese coast guard vessel employed a water cannon to deter one of the two Philippine supply boats from getting closer to Second Thomas Shoal. This action, captured on video, greatly angered President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and led the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila to summon the Chinese ambassador and express a vehement protest.

Washington responded by reiterating its commitment to protect the Philippines as a treaty ally.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that the U.S. was posing a threat to China by considering the activation of the U.S.-Philippine mutual defense treaty. Beijing has consistently cautioned the U.S. against interfering in territorial conflicts within the region.

In August, the Philippines once again sent out two boats that managed to navigate through the blockade by the Chinese coast guard. These boats successfully delivered supplies to the Filipino forces at Second Thomas Shoal. However, Chinese coast guard ships prevented two Philippine coast guard ships from getting closer to the shoal. During the standoff that lasted over three hours, a U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft provided support by flying in circles around the Philippine vessels.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has expressed worry regarding the risky actions of China at sea. He stated that the government is prepared to handle any potential emergencies, such as collisions between Chinese and Philippine ships in the disputed waters.

“We always consider the concern naturally, and we have contingency plans based on the outcome,” Teodoro stated on Tuesday evening.

A 2016 arbitration ruling set up under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea invalidated Beijing’s claims on historical grounds to virtually the entire South China Sea. China refused to participate in the arbitration sought by the Philippines, rejected the decision as a sham and continues to defy it.

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Gomez provided information from Manila, Philippines.