PCG Averts Near-Collision with China Ship in WPS

A patrol ship of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has avoided a head-on hit by a vessel of the China Coast Guard (CCG).

- By GHIO ONG

In what the PCG described as "an alarming incident," CCG vessel with bow number 3302 "attempted head-on collision with the smaller PCG vessel," the 44-meter BRP Cabra, around 11:30 a.m. on April 6, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG's spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues, reported.

At 100 yards from the PCG ship, the CCG vessel sailed quickly at a speed between four and 5.3 knots until they were just about 60 yards apart, based on reports by a PCG officer onboard Cabra captured on video and shared by Tarriela.

On April 7, CCG 3302 sustained its efforts to "engage in dangerous maneuvers against the PCG vessel, Cabra," Tarriela continued. "Throughout the afternoon, CCG 3302 made multiple attempts to pass aft of the BRP Cabra," he added in his statement.

The CCG even sent "a smaller, faster vessel CCG-21612- to further attempt to ram the PCG vessel," Tarriela added.

However, the Cabra managed to avoid the two CCG vessels.

Tarriela did not specify where the latest incident of aggression by China happened.