VIDEO: China Coast Guard Rams Philippine Fisheries Vessel in South China Sea
Chinese and Philippine maritime forces were involved in a ramming incident on Friday off Manila’s western island province. The incident is the latest high-profile skirmish between China and the Philippines in their long-running territorial dispute over maritime boundaries and features in the South China Sea. The encounter occurred around 11 a.m. local time, 54 nautical miles off Palawan, which lies within Manila’s exclusive economic zone. China Coast Guard cutter 21585 intercepted the Philippine Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015) during its maritime resupply patrol. According to a statement from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese
China Coast Guard cutter 21585 rammed Philippine Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015) during its maritime resupply patrol on Sept. 18, 2026, in the South China Sea. State media China Military Bugle image Chinese and Philippine maritime forces were involved in a ramming incident on Friday off Manila’s western island province.
The incident is the latest high-profile skirmish between China and the Philippines in their long-running territorial dispute over maritime boundaries and features in the South China Sea.
The encounter occurred around 11 a.m. local time, 54 nautical miles off Palawan, which lies within Manila’s exclusive economic zone. China Coast Guard cutter 21585 intercepted the Philippine Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015) during its maritime resupply patrol.
According to a statement from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese cutter repeatedly cut across the stern of the fishing support vessel. These erratic maneuvers led to a collision within 10 minutes of the confrontation.
“Let us be clear about what this vessel was doing: it was bringing fuel to Filipino fishermen so they can keep fishing in our own waters and keep food on Filipino tables. The China Coast Guard deliberately rammed a civilian government vessel on a humanitarian and livelihood mission, endangering the lives of its Filipino crew,” reads the Philippine statement.
After the collision, the Chinese cutter repeated further erratic maneuvers. Magat Salamat was damaged in the collision, including sustaining destroyed railings and displaced deck equipment. The Philippine Coast Guard said it dispatched additional vessels and aircraft to “ensure the safety” of the fishing support vessel’s crew.
The aquatic resources department regularly deploys support ships to enable the endurance of civilian Philippine fishing efforts in the South China Sea. Offshore vessels like Magat Salamat supply fishing vessels with food and fuel.
Prior to the incident, the fisheries’ support vessel ran aground at Half Moon Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard dispatched a cutter to pull Magat Salamat from the atoll on Thursday.
During this operation, the Philippine maritime security agency reported the presence of a China Coast Guard Harbin Y-12F maritime patrol aircraft. The turboprop is a new addition to Beijing’s maritime posture in the South China Sea. Equipped with a forward-looking infrared camera, surface search radar and modifications to enable enhanced maritime detection, the Chinese patrol aircraft is well suited for keeping an eye on Beijing’s claims in the disputed region.
Chinese Ministry of National Defense and People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command have reiterated their concerns of Manila beaching another vessel or warship like BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) at Second Thomas Shoal. Chinese channels justified the blockade of BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) at Sabina Shoal in 2024 under this assertion.
A China Coast Guard spokesperson claimed that “the responsibility lies with the Philippine side” and that Chinese forces reacted in a professional and lawful manner.
