THE Philippine Coastguard has accused its Chinese counterpart of steering one of its ships within metres of a Filipino patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea, breaking international rules and risking a collision.

The March 2 incident occurred near the contested Scarborough Shoal – one of the richest fishing grounds in the region and a flashpoint between the two countries – but was made public only today.

It was the fourth time in the past year that a Chinese coastguard vessel conducted “close distance manoeuvring” near the shoal, said the coastguard in a statement.

Beijing seized Scarborough from Manila in 2012, following a tense stand-off.

The Southeast Asian country continues to patrol the waters around the shoal, which is inside its Exclusive Economic Zone.

“The behaviour of the involved (China Coastguard) vessel increased the risk of collision with four of our capital ships,” said PCG chief Admiral Artemio Abu.

In the incident, the PCG said the Chinese vessel came within about 19m of its patrol boat, which is in “clear violation” of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

The coastguard has referred the matter to the Foreign Ministry, which recently summoned China’s ambassador over a separate incident involving a Chinese navy ship “lingering” in the country’s archipelagic waters.

Abu said his agency is under government orders to maintain patrols near the shoal, where Filipino fishermen continue to fish.

There is no immediate comment from the Chinese embassy or the Philippine Foreign Ministry.

Tensions between Beijing and Manila over the South China Sea, which China claims almost its entirety, have intensified in the final year of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term in office.

Beijing has ignored a 2016 international tribunal decision that declared its historical claim over most of the waters to be without basis.

Duterte set aside the ruling in exchange for promises of trade and investment, which critics said have not materialised.

He hardened his stance in November, expressing outrage after Chinese coastguard ships fired water cannon at Filipino boats.

This latest incident comes on the eve of the biggest-ever war games between the Philippines and the United States.

Recent manoeuvres between the long-time allies have focused on potential conflict in the South China Sea, where Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have competing claims. – AFP, March 27, 2022.