DND denies Chinese claims of Filipino personnel falling overboard during Escoda Shoal incident

The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea denied Chinese claims that Filipino personnel fell overboard during an incident at Escoda Shoal on Sunday, calling them 'fake news'.

According to the task force, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Datu Sanday, encountered aggressive maneuvers from eight Chinese maritime vessels while operating between Hasa-Hasa Shoal and Escoda Shoal.

China's coast guard claimed that the Philippine vessel deliberately collided with a Chinese Coast Guard ship, leading to personnel falling into the water; however, the task force noted that Philippine personnel remain safe and unharmed.

The Philippines said its ships encountered aggressive maneuvers from the Chinese side when they were on a humanitarian mission to resupply Filipino fishermen near Sabina Shoal, about 140 kilometres west of Palawan.

These incidents come amid recurring clashes in the South China Sea, with Manila accusing Beijing of firing flares at Philippine aircraft and conducting provocative actions that pose risks to safety.