MANILA, Philippines— Tensions flared anew between the Philippines and China after two Chinese Coast Guard vessels repeatedly attempted to ram a Philippine patrol ship in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Monday.

The PCG on Monday night said its vessel, BRP Cabra, was allegedly targeted by China Coast Guard (CCG) ship 3302 in a series of “dangerous maneuvers” throughout the afternoon. 

The Chinese vessel made multiple attempts to strike the Cabra’s rear but failed due to the PCG ship’s superior handling. In response, the CCG deployed a smaller and faster vessel, 21612, in another bid to ram the PCG patrol ship, West Philippine Sea Spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a statement.

Despite these provocations, PCG personnel aboard Cabra maintained composure and professionalism, successfully countering what they described as “reckless tactics” by Chinese forces. The Philippine ship continues to shadow and challenge CCG-3302 in the area.

The incident is the latest in a string of confrontations in the disputed waters. A day prior, on April 6, the PCG said Cabraremained “steadfast in its mission” to contest what it called an “illegal patrol” by CCG-3302. 

The Philippine vessel had issued repeated radio communications asserting the illegitimacy of the Chinese ship’s operations, which China insisted were lawful.

As of Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard noted that Cabra‘s continued presence had forced the Chinese ship farther away — now between 92 to 96 nautical miles off Capones Island — a development the PCG framed as a success in its bid to push back against China’s activities in the region.

The PCG also reported a separate high-risk maneuver on Sunday: an attempted head-on collision by CCG-3302, which raised fresh concerns over China’s adherence to international maritime safety protocols, particularly the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), of which China is a signatory.

“It is important to note that the China Coast Guard vessel 3302 has engaged in reckless and dangerous maneuvers, displaying a blatant disregard for safety,” the PCG said.