*China released videos claiming the Filipino vessels were the aggressors
Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels were damaged overnight on August 19 during the latest resupply missions into the disputed areas near Second Thomas Shoal. Chinese and Philippine officials have both issued harsh statements loaded with new accusations coming just weeks after both sides had tentatively agreed to reduce tensions in the region.
There is very little China and the Philippines are agreeing about in this incident but neither has claimed any injuries to their crews. The Philippines however is saying both vessels were holed with what it calls the worst damage since the incidents began in the Spratly Islands.
The Philippine Coast Guard cutters BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engano were underway when they encountered the Chinese vessels. Both sides are saying the vessels were headed toward the waters around Sabina Shoal in the same area as Second Thomas and the latest flashpoint in the conflicts.
BRP Cape Engano was the first vessel that the Chinese attempted to stop with a collision with the CCGV-3104. About 20 minutes later and two miles from the first incident, the BRP Bagacay and the CCGV 21551 collided. Philippine officials said Cape Engano suffered the more significant damage releasing pictures of a gash they are reporting measures 3.6 feet and damage to an engine exhaust. They initially termed the damage to Bagacay as “minor structural damage,” but reports now say the vessel has a hole approximately 2.5 feet long and 3 feet wide. There is a 1-foot dent on the other side of the vessel.
– THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE