Chinese ship nearly collides with Phl Coast Guard vessel

A Chinese Coast Guard ship came close to hitting a Philippine vessel during a confrontation in waters off Zambales over the weekend, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

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PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the presence of the CCG vessel also marks China’s return to patrolling near the Zambales coastline after a brief lull — part of a persistent strategy meant to normalize Beijing’s presence in the West Philippine Sea.

The near-collision took place on Sunday, April 6, when the 44-meter PCG vessel BRP Cabra was on its second day of challenging the much larger 99-meter CCG vessel 3302 in the waters near Zambales.

BRP Cabra was initially deployed on Saturday, April 5 after monitoring the Chinese vessel operating some 83 to 85 nautical miles off the coast of Palawig, Zambales.

“Disregarding collision regulations, they appeared to be moving forward on a head-to-head collision course towards the Philippine Coast Guard vessel,” Tarriela said during a press conference on Monday, April 7.

“You can just imagine how it would impact the possibility of collision,” Tarriela added, referring to the significant size difference between the two vessels. “Through the seamanship skills of the Philippine Coast Guard sailors, we were able to prevent such collision from happening.”