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MANILA: The Philippines expressed serious concern on Tuesday over what it called “dangerous maneuvers and unlawful interference” by Chinese vessels during a coast guard supply mission for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
Manila’s Coast Guard deployed three vessels on Monday to deliver supplies, such as fuel and ice, to dozens of fishermen operating around the disputed atoll when they encountered “hazardous” and “blocking actions” from Chinese vessels in the area.
“Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels,” the Philippine Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Philippine Coast Guard footage showed a Chinese Coast Guard ship trailing the PCG vessel before a Chinese navy ship suddenly cut across its path, colliding with it and damaging the Coast Guard’s forecastle. It was the first known collision between Chinese vessels in the area.
“Our assessment is that the real objective of the PLA Navy ship is to ram our Philippine Coast Guard (vessel). That is also (the) assessment of our Philippine Coast Guard,” Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner told reporters on Tuesday.
China’s actions also drew condemnation from the US, a treaty ally of the Philippines. 
“We condemn this latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel... and commend the Philippine Coast Guard for their professionalism and their offer to render assistance,” US Ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, said on X.
PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the PCG offered medical and search-and-rescue assistance via radio, but received no response from the Chinese side. He added there was no confirmation on whether any Chinese crew members were injured during the clash.
“Yesterday’s incident demonstrates the importance of adhering to international maritime rules,” the Philippine Foreign Ministry said. It reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue in resolving differences.
Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, Philippine navy spokesperson for the South China Sea, warned at a press briefing on Tuesday that similar incidents could happen again as long as China continued to conduct what he called “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive” activities in the strategic waterway.

KHARKIV REGION: Ukrainian soldiers preparing for battle say they have little faith in prospects for a quick ceasefire, and many reject suggestions that Kyiv should give up any of its hard-fought territory to Russia.
Reuters interviewed troops at two training bases in the northeastern Kharkiv region this week, days ahead of a planned meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine fears the two leaders could use their summit on Friday to dictate terms of peace and force Kyiv to abandon territory, a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has flatly rejected.
“Give it away to whom? Give it away for what?” asked the commander of a training base for Ukraine’s 58th Motorized Brigade, whose call sign is Chef.
Trump said on Monday that both Kyiv and Moscow would need to cede land to end the war, now in its fourth year. European Union leaders rallied to Ukraine’s defense on Tuesday, saying it must have the freedom to decide its own future.
The joint statement came as Russian forces made a sudden thrust into eastern Ukraine in a bid to break a key defensive line, likely aimed at boosting pressure on Kyiv to give up land.
The rapid battlefield push by Russia’s larger and better-equipped army followed months of deadly air strikes on Ukrainian towns and cities.
A Gallup poll released last week found that 69 percent of Ukrainians favor a negotiated end to the war as soon as possible. However, around the same number believe fighting won’t end soon.
“Every path to peace is built through negotiations,” said another 58th Brigade soldier, call sign Champion, sitting inside an armored vehicle.
“But I cannot say that tomorrow there will be peace just like that... Because the enemy continues to creep in.”
Trump said his talks with Putin would be “a feel-out meeting” and that he would tell the Russian leader to “end this war.” But he also hinted that he may walk away and let the two sides continue fighting.
Other Ukrainian troops training in the Kharkiv region also welcomed a ceasefire, but said the Kremlin would need to be forced into making peace.
“Until Russia suffers losses big enough to give up the idea of military pressure on us, (fighting) will continue,” said an instructor from the 43rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, whose call sign is Snail.
“We will not be able to stop this otherwise.”