Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided at sea, damaging at least two vessels in an encounter near a new flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea. The incident occurred near Sabina Shoal, a disputed atoll in the Spratly Islands, where Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims. Both sides blamed each other for the collision, with China accusing the Philippines of deliberately crashing into a Chinese vessel, while the Philippines refuted these claims.
The Philippine coast guard ships, BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño, encountered aggressive maneuvers from Chinese coast guard vessels while en route to Patag and Lawak islands, resulting in collisions that caused structural damage to both Philippine vessels. The Chinese coast guard spokesperson claimed sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, including Sabina Shoal, and accused the Philippines of infringing on their territory.
