This April 2024 file photo shows an incident between the China Coast Guard and the BRP Bagacay in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. ABS-CBN News/Job Manahan 

MANILA (3rd UPDATE) — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea has confirmed collisions in the West Philippine Sea that Beijing was first to report on Monday. The Philippine task force said that, contrary to Beijing's claims, the collisions were caused by the China Coast Guard.

Beijing's state media said, citing the Chinese coast guard, had reported that "Philippine vessel 4410 deliberately collided with China's 21551 vessel" in the South China Sea "despite multiple warnings from the Chinese side."

In a statement on Monday morning, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said Philippine Coast Guard patrol ships BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño "encountered unlawful and agressive maneuvers from Chinese Coast Guard vessels while en route to Patag and Lawak Islands in the West Philippine Sea."

NTF-WPS said that the Chinese ships' maneuvers "resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG vessels."

RELATED: PCG says vessels 'have right to operate' in Escoda Shoal

The national task force said that BRP Cape Engaño was damaged first after CCGV-3104's "aggressive maneuvers" led to a collision with the starboard beam of the Philippine patrol ship, leaving a five-inch hole on the deck.

It said another Chinese ship, CCGV 21551, rammed BRP Bagacay twice, causing "minor structural damage.

"Despite these incidents, both PCG vessels remain committed to and shall proceed with their mission of delivering essential supplies to personnel stationed on Patag and Lawak Islands," the task force said.

"The PCG stands firm in its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our maritime domain while addressing any threats to our national interests," it also said.

BRP Bagacay was damaged by China Coast Guard water cannons in an incident in the West Philippine Sea in April.

TENSION OVER ESCODA SHOAL

The collisions happen amid tension over Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Teresa Magbanua has been on prolonged patrol in response to reports of damage to coral reefs and of potential reclamation efforts by China.

China last week filed a diplomatic protest over Philippine presence in Escoda, which is inside the Philippines' EEZ.

"Our Philippine Coast Guard vessels have the right to operate within the lagoon of Escoda Shoal for as long as necessary, without requiring permission from any other country," PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said in response to China's protest.

Manila has lodged 173 diplomatic protests with Beijing in the last two years, and hundreds of others before that. 

China has refused to acknowledge a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its nine-dash-line claim over a large part of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. 

 — with a report from Agence France-Presse

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