Tensions flare over South China sea after vessels collide

Tensions over the South China Sea escalated Monday with China filing a diplomatic complaint, the Philippines summoning Beijing’s ambassador, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordering a probe a day after vessels from both nations collided in the disputed waters.

A China Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippinescontracted resupply boat early morning Sunday. Two hours later, Manila said a Chinese maritime militia boat ran into a Philippine coast guard ship during the same operation to deliver supplies to an outpost in Second Thomas Shoal.

The “dangerous, illegal, and reckless maneuvers” by Chinese ships caused damage to Philippine vessels “within our exclusive economic zone and is being taken seriously at the highest level of government,” according to a statement issued by Marcos’s office.

In a briefing after meeting with Marcos, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the incidents showed China’s “egregious violation of international law and an escalation of their expansionist and aggressive action.”

“The country and the world must condemn the illegal and oppressive actions by the Chinese government that violate any norm in the international law,” Teodoro said.

Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said Manila has summoned the Chinese envoy as the government makes “full use of diplomatic processes and exercising all possible actions to us.”

A senior diplomat at the Chinese embassy in Manila met with a Philippine foreign ministry official and expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition to Philippine vessels’ incursion, according to a statement from the embassy. The diplomat urged the Philippines to stop its “provocations” at sea and “smearing” campaign, and tow away its stranded vessel as soon as possible.