Philippine and Chinese coast guard ships collide in South China Sea

Chinese Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine boats and hit another with water cannon, injuring four crew injured during a resupply mission in the South China Sea. The incidents happened in waters around Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands where the countries have contesting maritime claims. A Philippine government task force said in a statement that “China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous manoeuvres in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission“. The China Coast Guard said it “took control measures“ against Philippine ships’ “illegal intrusion“ in waters around the shoal. The BRP Sindangan, along with a sister ship, had been deployed to support the military chartered Unaizah May 4 and Unaizah May 1 boats carrying replacement soldiers and supplies to Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino troops are