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China vessel rams Philippine boat on refueling mission, coast guard says
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- A China Coast Guard vessel rammed the Philippine resupply boat BRP Datu Magat Salamat in the South China Sea, damaging its railings and deck but causing no injuries, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
- The Philippine vessel was distributing fuel to fishermen about 54 nautical miles off Palawan when the Chinese ship made dangerous maneuvers and collided with it.
- The PCG accused the China Coast Guard of deliberately ramming a civilian government vessel on a humanitarian mission, while China claimed the Philippine vessel ignored warnings and caused the collision.
- This incident is the latest in ongoing confrontations between the two countries in disputed waters, following previous clashes involving water cannons and physical altercations near Scarborough and Second Thomas Shoals.
