Philippines claims 2 Chinese crew members killed in August collision in disputed waters: Report

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Philippines on Thursday claimed that at least two Chinese crew members were killed in a collision between two Chinese vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal last month, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said Beijing is now "under pressure" to defend its territorial claim in the South China Sea following the reports of the casualties.

The collision reportedly occurred in August during a pursuit near Scarborough Shoal, a contested area in the region.

Ano said the Chinese deaths were based on "reports," without elaborating further.

"They have a lot of explaining to do back home,” he told reporters.

"So, they are trying to do things that would prevent, at all costs, our vessels from coming into the shoal," he added, referring to an encounter near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday in which Beijing accused Manila of ramming its ship, while the Philippines accused China of dousing its vessel with water.

"Scarborough Shoal is part of our territory, and we will do our duty to ensure our presence there," he said, emphasizing that while the Philippines seeks to "avoid any violent confrontation," it will continue to exert its presence.

Scarborough Shoal, known in China as Huangyan Island and in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc, is at the heart of tensions between Beijing and Manila, which has drawn the support of its treaty ally, the US.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated on Thursday that "Huangyan Island has always been China’s territory" when asked to comment on Ano’s remarks, though not directly addressing the claim.

"What happened off the waters of the Huangyan Island on August 11" is that Manila sent multiple vessels to "intrude into China’s territorial waters of Huangyan Island (at a) high speed and frequently changed their turns drastically," Lin said.

"It severely infringed on China’s sovereignty, gravely threatened the safety and the security of Chinese vessels and personnel, and endangered peace and stability at sea," he said, noting that Beijing responded to Manila's "infringement."

"A message to the Philippines: Stop infringement and provocation at once, and do not challenge China’s firm resolve in safeguarding its lawful rights and interests," he added.