China-Philippines Collision: What Happened to BRP Datu Magat Salamat in South China Sea?
The China Coast Guard vessel collided with the Philippine vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015) on Friday, which was at the time carrying out a fuel subsidy mission for Filipino fishermen off Palawan, as the Philippine Coast Guard has stated.
The PCG stated that the incident took place about 54 nautical miles from the coast of Palawan and some 6.36 nautical miles north-northwest of Abad Santos Shoal; Manila views this area as falling within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). China and the Philippines have supplied different versions of what happened.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, the Philippine government vessel, which was near Xianbin Jiao, referred to in the Philippines as Escoda Shoal, deliberately collided with a Chinese coast guard ship, and Beijing stated that the actions of the Philippine vessel endangered the safety of Chinese personnel and vessels.
Timeline of the Encounter
The Philippine Coast Guard says that the China Coast Guard vessel CCG-21585 passed around the back of the BRP Datu Magat Salamat at around 11.04 a.m. and got within about 10 metres of its stern.
The PCG stated that at about 11:13 a.m. CCG-21585 carried out the manoeuvre once more and hit the BFAR vessel, which was keeping to its course. The Chinese ship then went round behind the Philippine ship again, being about five metres away.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela said the Chinese vessel acted deliberately.
“The China Coast Guard deliberately rammed a civilian government vessel on a humanitarian and livelihood mission,” the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement, as reported by 93.3 The Drive.
China disputed the Philippine account, saying the Philippine vessel ignored repeated warnings and suddenly crossed the bow of a Chinese coast guard vessel near Xianbin Jiao. China said the Philippines was “fully responsible” for the incident.
Philippine Ship Sustains Damage After Collision
The collision damaged the BRP Datu Magat Salamat’s starboard side, according to Philippine authorities.
The damage included bent, broken and detached railings, deformed metal stanchions and support structures, and displaced deck fixtures and equipment. Debris was also scattered across the deck.
No injuries were reported among the crew. Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered coast guard surface and air assets to assist the BFAR vessel and protect its crew.
The vessel was later ordered to return to Coron for an assessment of its seaworthiness.
NTF-WPS Condemns the Incident
The Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned the incident and said the BFAR vessel had been conducting a civilian mission.
“We remain resolute in protecting the rights and welfare of our fisherfolk and ensuring that lawful government missions in the WPS continue without intimidation or coercion,” the task force said in a statement.
“The NTF-WPS calls on China to cease dangerous and unlawful actions that endanger lives at sea. We will continue to exercise our rights under international law with restraint, professionalism, and firm commitment to the security and dignity of the Filipino people,” it added.
Tarriela said the vessel involved was a 21-series China Coast Guard ship, which he described as one of the smaller and more maneuverable classes in the Chinese coast guard fleet.
China Rejects the Philippine Account
In a statement carried by China’s Foreign Ministry, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said a Philippine government vessel near Xianbin Jiao had “deliberately” collided with a Chinese coast guard vessel and accused the Philippines of threatening the safety of Chinese personnel and ships.
“China will continue to firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Guo said.
The Chinese Coast Guard also called on Manila to stop what Beijing described as infringement and provocation.
Collision Occurs in Disputed South China Sea Waters
The collision took place in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines have competing claims and where their vessels have repeatedly encountered one another.
The Philippines refers to parts of the waters on its western side as the West Philippine Sea. Manila says the area where the incident occurred falls within its EEZ, under which the Philippines has rights over natural resources under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China maintains broader claims over the South China Sea and has rejected the Philippines’ interpretation of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. In July 2026, China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that Beijing has sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and historic rights in the waterway.
The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling found that there was no legal basis for China’s claim to historic rights over resources within the sea areas encompassed by the “nine-dash line.” China has rejected the award.
A Second Incident Involving the Same Vessel
The BRP Datu Magat Salamat was involved in another incident one day before the collision.
The PCG said the BFAR vessel ran aground at Hasa-Hasa Shoal on Thursday while approaching Filipino fishing boats to distribute fuel. The vessel was later refloated with assistance from the Philippine Coast Guard.
It resumed its mission on Friday before the reported collision with CCG-21585.
The BRP Datu Magat Salamat’s condition and seaworthiness will continue to be a focus after the collision. Disputes exist over the circumstances of the incident, with Manila and Beijing giving differing versions of how the vessels collided into contact.
