US condemns China's aggression near Sabina Shoal

The United States has condemned recent aggression by Chinese maritime forces against a Philippine Coast Guard ship near Sabina Shoal on Saturday, August 31.

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel rammed the BRP Teresa Magbanua three times, causing damage to the Japan-made ship and jeopardizing the safety of Filipinos aboard.

The US State Department called the incident 'dangerous and escalatory,' emphasizing that China's actions threaten maritime freedoms in line with international law.

US officials reaffirmed the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States, stating it covers attacks on Philippine assets anywhere in the South China Sea.

This is the seventh such incident involving Chinese forces in the West Philippine Sea, including water cannon firings on a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel earlier this month.

Chinese multi-role fighter jets have also harassed BFAR survey planes in previous incidents.