A People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel collided with a China Coast Guard ship that was chasing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel deployed to distribute assistance to Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc on Monday.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan, along with MV Pamamalakaya, were carrying out the “Kadiwa Para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM)” initiatives where they provide help for Filipino fishermen aboard the 35 fishing vessels in the area when the incident occurred around 8 am.

Tarriela said the collision between China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104 and PLA Navy ship 164, took place approximately 10.5 nautical miles east of Bajo de Masinloc.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reacting to the latest incident, said: ''We will continue to be present. We will continue to defend our territory. We will continue to exercise our sovereign rights. And despite any opposition from anyone, we will continue to do that as we have done in the past three years.”

"The CCG 3104, which was chasing the BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky maneuver from the PCG vessel's starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA Navy warship," Tarriela said.

"This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel's forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy," he added.

Following the collision, the PCG immediately offered support, including assistance with man-overboard recovery and medical aid for any injured CCG crew members but there was no response received from the Chinese vessels.

Meanwhile, BRP Teresa Magbanua safely escorted the Filipino fishermen to a secure location, where they are now being provided with essential fuel and supplies.

Tarriela said before the collision incident the Philippine vessels and fishermen encountered hazardous maneuvers and blocking actions from the Chinese vessels since 6 am.

"The MRRV 4406 was targeted with a water cannon, but the seamanship skills by PCG crew members allowed the vessel to successfully evade from getting hit," he said.

In his X (twitter) account, retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell, from Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation Project Myoushou at the Stanford University said the Philippine humanitarian mission encountered "a very heavy flotilla" of China "with at least 7 coast guard and 14 maritime militia ships visible on automatic information system (AIS).

Despite the heavy presence of Chinese vessels, Marcos told reporters that the government has " never instructed any of our vessels to back out."

"We are brave. Filipinos are brave. but we do not… Filipinos do not want war... for me even one including soldiers and Coast Guard, they do not want conflict. But at the same time, we have a duty to perform. And that is to defend the country. So, no, we never back down," he said. Robina Asido/DMS