A CHINA Coast Guard (CCG) vessel rammed and blasted a water cannon at a Philippine government ship near Pag-asa Island on Sunday morning, in what Philippine officials condemned as a dangerous and illegal act in the West Philippine Sea.
The incident occurred as three vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, were anchored near Pag-asa Island to support local fisherfolk under the ‘Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda’ program.
At around 8:15 a.m., Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia vessels approached and began shadowing the Philippine ships.
By 9:15 a.m., CCG vessel 21559 fired a water cannon at the Datu Pagbuaya, then rammed its stern three minutes later, causing minor structural damage.
No injuries were reported.
‘Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions, the PCG and BFAR remain resolute,’ said PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
‘We will not be intimidated or driven away, as our presence in the Kalayaan Island Group is crucial for protecting the rights and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen.’
The National Maritime Council condemned the incident as ‘illegal and reckless,’ asserting that the Philippines was operating within its sovereign territory.
The council cited the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
China, however, claimed the Philippine vessels ‘illegally intruded’ into waters near Pag-asa Island (Tiexian Jiao), which it considers part of Spratly Islands (Nansha Qundao).
CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said the Philippine vessel dangerously approached CCG 21559 during a ‘normal law enforcement mission,’ and that the Chinese response was ‘lawful, professional, and necessary.’
The incident drew swift international rebuke.
U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson lauded the ‘tremendous valor and skill’ of Filipino personnel and condemned China’s ‘aggressive actions in defiance of international law,’ reaffirming U.S. support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
The European Union Delegation to the Philippines echoed the concern, stating that ‘Chinese dangerous actions today in the waters of Pag-asa Island further destabilize the South China Sea.’
The EU reiterated its call for restraint and full respect for the rules-based international order, including UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and emphasized that ‘freedom of navigation must be upheld.’
The Philippine government said it would file a diplomatic protest and continue to assert its rights in the Kalayaan Island Group.