Near-Collision Within 100m as Philippine Cutter Confronts China Patrol Ships

A Philippine Coast Guard cutter and two Chinese patrol ships came dangerously close to collision in contested South China Sea waters Tuesday, in what Beijing has called a "malicious act of provocation" near Huangyan Dao, also known as Scarborough Shoal.

According to Chinese reports, BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) repeatedly crossed behind China Coast Guard vessels 21550 and 5009 at high speed, at one point closing in to just 100 meters. Track data and images released by Chinese media indicate irregular movements and sharp turns by the Philippine cutter, which Chinese officials claim interfered with their patrol operations.

Beijing described the actions as "malicious and extremely dangerous," warning that any collision could have resulted in serious consequences. “This goes beyond normal maritime friction,” said Yang Xiao, a maritime expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. “These were close-range maneuvers near much smaller Chinese vessels.”

The incident reportedly occurred as the Philippine cutter was escorting two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels in the area. Chinese sources claim the operation disrupted CCG patrols and was part of a pattern of “increasingly aggressive” Philippine actions.

The same Philippine vessel was involved in a separate confrontation over the weekend. BRP Teresa Magbanua intercepted a Chinese Navy surveillance ship, Tianwangxing (793), 70 nautical miles off the Philippine coast. The Chinese vessel was escorted by a Coast Guard cutter and later by the 052D-class guided missile destroyer Guilin (164).

The Philippine Coast Guard said it was actively monitoring the Chinese formation, which included a Z-9 utility helicopter conducting flight operations. The appearance of Tianwangxing near Mindoro coincided with ongoing U.S.-Philippine joint air drills, where American F-35 fighters are operating from Philippine soil for the first time.

This is not the first time Philippine authorities have reported unannounced Chinese military or survey ship activity in its EEZ. In 2022, the Philippine Navy shadowed the Chinese surveillance ship Haiwangxing (792) for three days in the Sulu Sea.