Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said that on Wednesday a Chinese Coast Guard ship came within one meter of hitting a Philippine patrol ship near the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Tarriela said the Chinese Coast Guard ship — part of a larger flotilla with several coast guard and militia ships, and a Chinese Navy warship — attempted to block the Philippine ship from reaching the small contingent of Filipino marines and navy personnel stationed on a grounded ship there with supplies. The Chinese ship came within one meter of hitting the BRP Sindangan which had reversed its engines to try and avoid a collision. The Chinese ships asserted via radio messages that “China has indisputable sovereignty” over the area and for the Philippine ships to “leave and keep out.” Tarriela called the incident a violation of international law.
