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Two Deaths, one collision, a year of silence in Bajo de Masinloc

Article by J. Salazar

Published on August 8, 2026 04:00AM


Yi Xinyu (left) and Cheng Long (right) have been martyrized by the People’s Armed Police
Yi Xinyu (left) and Cheng Long (right) have been martyrized by the People’s Armed Police

MANILA — China has quietly acknowledged that two (2) of its coastguard personnel died during a collision near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea last year, contradicting its earlier public silence over reported casualties from the incident. ¹ ²


The People’s Armed Police identified Yi Xinyu, 21, and Cheng Long, 25, as posthumous recipients of a national honor for their service during a “maritime rights protection operation” on August 11, 2025. Their names were also included in China’s official "martyr" registry, effectively confirming that the collision resulted in deaths. ¹ ² ⁷ ⁸


The late acknowledgment came nearly a year after the China Coast Guard reported a confrontation involving Philippine vessels but did not disclose that one of its cutters had collided with a Chinese Navy warship or that personnel had died. Beijing’s previous statements made no mention of the collision, injuries, or fatalities. ³ ⁴ ⁶


Collision during pursuit


The incident occurred as a China Coast Guard vessel pursued the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Suluan near Bajo de Masinloc, a maritime feature close to the Philippines. Philippine authorities said the Chinese cutter made a risky maneuver and collided with a Chinese Navy destroyer, severely damaging its bow. ⁵


The collision happened during a Philippine mission to deliver fuel and provisions to Filipino fishing vessels operating near the shoal. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Chinese vessels were moving at high speed when the accident occurred. ⁵


At the time, Philippine authorities released video footage and warned that Chinese maneuver had placed vessels and their crews at risk. They also said the damage to the coastguard cutter raised the possibility that Chinese personnel had been injured or killed, although Beijing did not confirm those reports at the time. ⁵


Delayed admission


China’s new announcement does not explicitly say that its earlier statements were false. However, the official recognition of Yi and Cheng as martyrs contradicts Beijing’s previous failure to disclose casualties connected to the incident.


The recognition therefore represents a significant reversal in China’s public account of what happened near Scarborough Shoal. Bloomberg reported that the announcement appeared to be China’s first confirmation of fatalities from a confrontation in the South China Sea in decades. ²


The delayed disclosure also raises questions about transparency in China’s handling of maritime incidents involving Philippine vessels. Rather than announcing the deaths immediately after the collision, Chinese authorities revealed them through a posthumous awards listing almost a year later. ³ ⁴


Philippine security concerns


For the Philippines, the acknowledgment reinforces concerns about the risks created by aggressive and closely coordinated Chinese maneuver near Bajo de Masinloc. Manila has repeatedly asserted Chinese maritime forces of harassing Philippine government vessels and obstructing missions supporting Filipino fishermen.


The incident also highlights the potential for accidents to escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea. A pursuit involving Philippine and Chinese government vessels resulted in a collision between two (2) Chinese ships, while the reported deaths remained undisclosed until the officers were formally honored.


Philippine authorities have previously established Bajo de Masinloc as part of the country’s maritime domain and have continued patrols and assistance missions in the area. China, for its part, has intensified coastguard activity around the shoal and maintains its own sovereignty claims over the feature. ¹ ⁵


Broader implications


The admission comes amid heightened maritime tensions between Manila and Beijing. It may increase pressure on China to explain why the collision and the reported deaths were not disclosed when the incident occurred. ⁹ ¹⁰


It could also strengthen the Philippine position in calling for greater transparency, safer maneuvering and adherence to international rules during encounters at sea. For Filipino officials, the episode serves as another warning that confrontations near Bajo de Masinloc can produce serious consequences, even for the forces attempting to pressure Philippine vessels.

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Notes:


¹ Marine Insight. China Confirms Deaths Of 2 Coast Guards After Collision Near ... https://www.marineinsight.com/china-confirms-death-of-2-coast-guards-after-collision-near-disputed-scarborough-shoal


² Bloomberg. China Confirms First Deaths in South China Sea Clash in Decades https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-07/china-confirms-first-deaths-in-south-china-sea-clash-in-decades



⁴ Taipei Times. China confirms two sailors died in 2025 collision. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2026/08/08/2003862157



⁶ Handelsavisen. China confirms two coastguard deaths in Scarborough Shoal collision. https://handelsavisen.no/en/articles/2026/08/china-confirms-two-coastguard-deaths-in-scarborough-shoal-collision-a6b96f1f.html


⁷ World Ports. China Confirms Deaths Of 2 Coast Guards After Collision Near ... https://www.worldports.org/china-confirms-deaths-of-2-coast-guards-after-collision-near-disputed-scarborough-shoal


⁸ The Washington Post. Footage shows two Chinese ships colliding while chasing Philippine boat. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/11/south-china-sea-collision


⁹ UnveiledChina. It took nearly a full year for Beijing ... https://x.com/Unveiled_ChinaX/status/2085379601220723048


¹⁰ StratNews Global. China Confirms Two Coast Guard Deaths After South China Sea ... https://stratnewsglobal.com/world-news/china-confirms-two-coast-guard-deaths-after-south-china-sea-collision

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