The Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard of performing “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” that resulted in collisions of the two country’s vessels near Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) early Monday. The National Task Force for the West Philippines Sea (NTF-WPS) said Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño were en route to WPS’ Patag and Lawak islands when they encountered CCG’s maneuvers. “This morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) encountered unlawful and aggressive maneuvers from Chinese Coast Guard vessels while en route to Patag and Lawak Islands in the West Philippine Sea,” NTF-WPS said.

Co, A. S. (2024, August 20). PH blames China’s ‘dangerous, illegal maneuvers’ for WPS collision. Panay News, pp. 9, 15.