A Philippine resupply mission in the South China Sea resulted in a confrontation with Chinese vessels on March 5, 2024, leading to a collision and the use of water cannons by the China Coast Guard (CCG). The incident occurred near Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed atoll where the Philippine military maintains an outpost.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, a Philippine government body, reported that the routine rotation and resupply mission was “harassed [and] blocked” by vessels from the CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia. According to the task force, a CCG vessel performed a “dangerous blocking maneuver,” causing a collision with the Philippine supply boat Unaizah May 4.
Following the collision, two CCG ships directed water cannons at the Unaizah May 4, shattering its windshield and causing minor injuries to at least four crew members, according to Philippine officials. The damaged vessel was forced to return to port, though a second Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship, the BRP Sindangan, was able to reach the outpost and complete the resupply mission.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, a PCG spokesperson, described the actions of the Chinese vessels as “irresponsible and provocative.” In a statement, the Philippine task force condemned what it called the “unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers” by China.
The China Coast Guard provided a different account of the events. Spokesperson Gan Yu stated that the CCG took “control measures” in response to Philippine vessels that “illegally intruded” into waters near the shoal, which China refers to as Ren’ai Jiao. The CCG statement said its actions against the Philippine vessels were “professional, restrained, reasonable and legal.”
The incident drew a response from the United States. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson stated on social media that the U.S. “condemns China’s repeated reckless and illegal actions.”
Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines, is located within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone. The Philippine military outpost is the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship that was intentionally grounded on the reef in 1999.
This event follows a pattern of similar encounters in the area. In October 2023, collisions involving Chinese and Philippine vessels were reported during another resupply mission. In August 2023, the CCG also used water cannons against a Philippine supply boat.
In 2016, an international tribunal at The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has rejected the ruling and continues to assert its claims over the territory.
