Chinese, Philippine Coast Guard Vessels Collide in Disputed Waters

Chinese and Philippine Coast Guards have blamed each other following a vessel collision on Sunday in the latest flare-up in the disputed South China Sea. It’s the second vessel collision incident in a week and occurred a day after the Philippines condemned the Chinese Air Force for dropping flares at a Philippine patrol aircraft. According to Philippine officials, the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the Philippines’s BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) was on its way to “resupply Filipino fishermen with diesel, food, and medical supplies.” The vessel’s engine failed following the collision. The Chinese Coast Guard accused MMOV 3002 of deliberately colliding with a Chinese vessel, while the Philippines said the Chinese Coast Guard’s attempt to encircle and block the Philippine vessel led to the collision and published footage of the incident....