MANILA—A China Coast Guard vessel rammed a Philippine government vessel carrying out a fuel subsidy mission for Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The incident involving China Coast Guard vessel CCG-21585 and BFAR vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015) occurred about 54 nautical miles from the coast of Palawan.

The BFAR vessel was the same ship that the PCG assisted on Thursday while it was conducting a maritime patrol to deliver fuel subsidies to Filipino fishermen.

According to the PCG account, CCG-21585 first cut across the stern of MMOV 3015 at around 11:04 a.m., passing at a distance of about 10 meters.

At 11:13 a.m., the Chinese vessel reportedly repeated the maneuver while MMOV 3015 was maintaining its course, this time making contact with and striking the BFAR vessel.

By 11:48 a.m., damage had been confirmed on the starboard side of MMOV 3015, including bent, broken and detached main railings, deformed metal stanchions and support structures, as well as displaced deck fixtures and equipment. Debris was also scattered across the deck.

The PCG said CCG-21585 made another close maneuver after the collision, passing directly astern of the BFAR vessel at a distance of only about five meters.

The incident occurred at 09°34.445’N, 116°53.714’E, approximately 6.36 nautical miles north-northwest of Abad Santos Shoal and about 54 nautical miles from Palawan.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has directed Coast Guard surface and air assets to proceed to the location to assist the BFAR vessel and ensure the safety of its crew.

The PCG said the BFAR vessel was conducting a mission to deliver fuel to Filipino fishermen so they could continue their livelihood activities in Philippine waters.

It described the collision and subsequent maneuvers as violations of the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), the 2016 Arbitral Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The PCG said it would continue supporting BFAR missions in the West Philippine Sea in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure Filipino fishermen can safely exercise their rights in the country’s exclusive economic zone.