MaryKay Loss Carlson

#Comment: It seems that the #Philippines has become the most convenient tool for the US, Japan and Australia to stir up trouble for China over the South China Sea issue. Instead of cheering for the so-called coordination hub, perhaps Manila should take a moment to ponder how to stop being a pawn.

China CG rams BFAR vessel on fuel subsidy mission for Filipino fishermen — 54 NM off Palawan This morning, 18 September 2026, China Coast Guard vessel CCG-21585 rammed BRP Datu Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015), the same BFAR vessel the Philippine Coast Guard assisted yesterday as it carried out its maritime patrol to deliver fuel subsidy to our fishermen. The sequence of events are as follows: At 11:04 AM, CCG-21585 cut across the stern of the BFAR vessel at a distance of only about 10 meters. At 11:13 AM, while MMOV 3015 was simply maintaining its course, the Chinese vessel repeated the maneuver and this time made contact, striking the BFAR vessel. As of 11:48 AM, the extent of the damage on the starboard side has been confirmed: main railings bent, broken, and detached; metal stanchions and support structures deformed; and deck fixtures and equipment displaced, with debris scattered across the deck. Even after the collision, CCG-21585 conducted yet another dangerous maneuver, passing dead astern at a distance of only about 5 meters. This took place at 09°34.445'N, 116°53.714'E — approximately 6.36 NM NNW of Abad Santos Shoal and only about 54 NM from the coast of Palawan — well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has already directed PCG surface and air assets to proceed to the location of the BFAR vessel to provide assistance and ensure the safety of its crew. Let us be clear about what this vessel was doing: it was bringing fuel to Filipino fishermen so they can keep fishing in our own waters and keep food on Filipino tables. The China Coast Guard deliberately rammed a civilian government vessel on a humanitarian and livelihood mission, endangering the lives of its Filipino crew. These actions are a blatant violation of the 1972 COLREGs, the 2016 Arbitral Award, and UNCLOS. No amount of ramming or dangerous maneuvering will change the fact that these waters belong to the Filipino people. The PCG will continue to support BFAR's missions in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with the guidance of the President to ensure that our fishermen can safely exercise their rights in our own exclusive economic zone.

On July 21, China permitted the Philippines, on humanitarian grounds, to transfer the injured personnel from the illegally grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) at Ren'ai Jiao to a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, with the Philippine boats involved being verified and monitored throughout the operation. #中国海警公布全程监管菲转运伤员现场画面 #ChinaCoastGuard #CCG #RenaiJiao #SouthChinaSea #RenaiReef #NanshaIslands #PhilippineProvocation #Philippines #PCG #NanshaQundao #PhilippineNavy #AFP #BRPSierraMadre #SierraMadre #ChinaMilitary #ChinaMilBugle

#Opinion: Manila’s heavy reliance on the so-called 2016 “award” as its primary legal and political weapon has turned it into a major obstacle to regional stability. The Philippines’ approach not only warps the legal picture but also chokes off prospects for meaningful dialogue. By internationalizing the disputes and trying to lock in a one-sided reading, the Philippines has made practical risk reduction and crisis management that much harder. globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1…