US ships near Scarborough after collision

Two US warships shadow nearby Scarborough Shoal after a collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels raises tensions in disputed waters.

US deploys two warships near Scarborough Shoal after collision

MANILA, Philippines — The United States has deployed two warships to waters off Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint in the South China Sea, following a collision between Chinese navy and coast guard ships and a smaller Philippine vessel. The USS Higgins and USS Cincinnati remained about 30 nautical miles from the shoal as a Chinese warship monitored the ships from a short distance. Philippine officials said the collision occurred two days earlier as authorities tried to drive away BRP Suluan, a small coast guard boat captured by video showing water cannon blasts and a tense standoff.

The move follows years of US Freedom of Navigation operations that challenge what Washington sees as restricted entry to international waters. Washington has argued it will defend the Philippines if Filipino forces face armed attack, a commitment often framed as a deterrent against broader escalation in contested waters. In Manila, local officials and journalists observed the patrols while regional partners watched closely for signs of de-escalation, given the strategic importance of this sea lane.

The incident underscores how crowded and risky the South China Sea has become for patrols by multiple states. It tests ongoing alliance commitments and the tension between asserting territorial claims and honoring international law. Analysts say the episode could inflame domestic audiences in China and the Philippines, complicate diplomatic channels, and invite further freedom of navigation operations by the United States and partners. The key question now is whether this pressure translates into restraint or a dangerous cycle of maneuvering that risks a larger clash.

Highlights

Leaders will be judged by whether they control tensions without backing away from long standing commitments.