MANILA—The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned what it described as dangerous actions by the China Coast Guard after a Chinese vessel made contact with a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship conducting a fuel subsidy mission for Filipino fisherfolk on Friday.

The incident involved the BFAR vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015) and China Coast Guard vessel CCG-21585 approximately 54 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, according to the NTF-WPS.

The task force said CCG-21585 repeatedly carried out hazardous maneuvers before deliberately making contact with the Philippine vessel, damaging it and putting its civilian crew at risk.

The BFAR vessel was carrying out a lawful civilian mission intended to support Filipino fisherfolk, the NTF-WPS said.

The task force said the incident violated the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The 2016 ruling affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone, according to the NTF-WPS.

“The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea condemns in the strongest terms the dangerous actions of the China Coast Guard against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015) while it was carrying out a fuel subsidy mission for Filipino fisherfolk this morning in the West Philippine Sea.”

The NTF-WPS said the incident also undermined safety of life at sea.

Philippine Coast Guard assets were immediately deployed to assist the BFAR vessel, which the task force said demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting Filipino lives and ensuring legitimate civilian operations in Philippine maritime zones.

The task force said it would continue protecting the rights and welfare of Filipino fisherfolk and maintaining lawful government missions in the West Philippine Sea.

It also called on China to stop actions that it said endanger lives at sea.

“We remain resolute in protecting the rights and welfare of our fisherfolk and ensuring that lawful government missions in the West Philippine Sea continue without intimidation or coercion.”

The NTF-WPS said the Philippines would continue exercising its rights under international law with restraint and professionalism while maintaining its commitment to the security and dignity of Filipinos.