Philippines Says Two of Its Boats Collided With Chinese Vessels

The Philippines said two of its vessels collided with Chinese boats during a mission to deliver supplies to a South China Sea outpost.

(Bloomberg) — The Philippines said two of its vessels collided with Chinese boats during a mission to deliver supplies to a South China Sea outpost.

A China Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippines-contracted resupply boat at about 6:04 a.m. Sunday approximately 13.5 nautical miles (about 25 kilometers) east-northeast of the outpost, the Philippine task force for the disputed sea said in a statement. 

China’s “provocative, irresponsible and illegal action” imperiled the safety of the Filipino crew, the task force said.

On the same mission Sunday, a Chinese maritime militia boat collided with a Philippine coast guard ship, according to the statement. 

Manila and Beijing are locked in a maritime dispute in the South China Sea. The Philippines has reported several incidents of China blocking resupply missions to a World War II-era ship in Second Thomas Shoal that has served as its outpost in the disputed sea.

Philippines Supplies Sea Outpost Despite China Attempts to Block

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