China Coast Guard Rams Philippine Fisheries Vessel

A China Coast Guard vessel intentionally rammed a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship in the West Philippine Sea on 18 Sep 2026, damaging its railings, metal stanchions and deck equipment, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. No injuries were reported among the mixed PCG-BFAR crew aboard the BRP Datu Magat Salamat, which cut short its mission and headed back to Coron to assess whether it remains seaworthy. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, described the incident as "intentional ramming" by CCG vessel CCG-21585, one of the smallest and most agile ships in China's coast guard fleet, at under 50 meters long. The BRP Datu Magat Salamat had been delivering fuel to Filipino fisherfolk near Abad Santos (Bombay) Shoal, about 54 nautical miles from Palawan and within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, when the CCG ship cut across its stern before striking it. A day earlier, the Philippine vessel had run aground at Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea condemned the act as reckless and in violation of the 1972 COLREGs, UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. The Department of Foreign Affairs said there was no justification for aggressive action against a civilian law enforcement vessel conducting lawful humanitarian activities, adding that China's conduct also breached the 1974 SOLAS Convention. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including the Philippines' EEZ, and has rejected the 2016 Arbitral Award affirming Manila's maritime rights.