The Philippines on 12 Aug voiced “serious concern” after Chinese Coast Guard and navy vessels executed what Manila called “dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference” during a routine resupply mission for Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal. A Chinese navy ship cut across the bow of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, damaging its forecastle in what Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner described as an attempted ramming. The Philippine Foreign Ministry said the incident put lives at risk and breached international maritime rules, while Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela deemed the action “reckless.” Washington, a treaty ally, condemned the collision, with U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson praising Philippine crews for their restraint. Beijing has not commented publicly on the specific crash but has consistently asserted the shoal is Chinese territory and said it expelled Philippine vessels that “illegally intruded.” The confrontation follows a diplomatic row over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent remarks about a potential Taiwan conflict, which China called provocative despite Marcos saying his words were misinterpreted. Tensions rose further on 13 Aug when China’s state broadcaster said the People’s Liberation Army Navy tracked the USS Higgins after the destroyer entered waters near Scarborough Shoal. The PLA deployed Type 22 missile boats to “intercept and monitor” the U.S. ship, accusing it of an illegal incursion. The sequence of incidents underscores the heightened volatility in the South China Sea as Manila, Beijing and Washington test each other’s red lines around the disputed shoal.