China claimed two Philippine Coast Guard ships illegally entered the area without permission. One vessel reportedly ignored warnings and deliberately collided with a Chinese ship in what China described as an "unprofessional and dangerous" manner.
The Philippines, however, disputed this account. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) stated that their coast guard ships sustained structural damage due to "illegal and aggressive maneuvers" by Chinese vessels. One Philippine ship reportedly suffered a 13cm hole, while another incurred minor damage.
This incident occurred despite a recent agreement between the two nations regarding supply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine naval ship at Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines has maintained a small military presence on this vessel since 1999, regularly supplying it with provisions.
China claims sovereignty over about 90 percent of the South China Sea, leading to ongoing disputes with several Southeast Asian nations and the international community. The situation remains tense as both countries continue to assert their territorial claims in the region.
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