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6d ago

Philippine Navy Ship Dodges Chinese Frigate Near Thitu Island, Video Shows

The encounter highlights growing use of Chinese navy ships that raises the risk of a dangerous miscalculation.

Philippine tank landing ship the BRP Benguet and Chinese missile frigate the Jingzhou avoid colliding during an encounter near Philippines-controlled Thitu Island in the South China Sea on March 25, 2026.

Overview

  • BRP Benguet, which was on a routine mission on Wednesday near Philippine-held Thitu Island, veered to avoid a Chinese warship that closed to very short range, according to footage released by Manila.
  • Western Command said the frigate’s pass was unsafe and unprofessional and violated rules meant to prevent collisions at sea, adding the crew altered course to avert impact.
  • There is a dispute over the ship’s identity, with Newsweek citing a Philippine statement naming Jingzhou, while imagery assessed by USNI News and a Philippine release points to Binzhou with pennant number 532.
  • China had not publicly commented on the video or Manila’s allegation in the reporting available.
  • The run-in follows a reported fire-control radar lock by a Chinese warship near Sabina Shoal earlier in March, a pattern analysts say shows more frequent use of gray-hulled PLA Navy ships and a higher chance of escalation.