Tensions in the West Philippine Sea escalated again on Thursday as a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel fired water cannon and sideswiped a Philippine research ship near Sandy Cay, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
BFAR reported that two of its vessels, the BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya, were on a routine scientific mission to collect sand samples around Pag-asa Cay 2 when the incident occurred. The CCG ship 21559 allegedly struck the BRP Datu Sanday twice, damaging its port bow and smokestack and endangering the lives of onboard civilians.
“This marks the first use of water cannon against DA-BFAR research ships in this area,” the agency stated.
Despite the harassment, the Philippine team managed to complete their research in Pag-asa Cays 1, 2, and 3. BFAR condemned the Chinese actions as “aggressive, dangerous, and illegal,” emphasizing that the incident occurred within Philippine territorial waters in the Kalayaan Island Group.
BFAR reaffirmed its commitment to scientific research, marine conservation, and national sovereignty.
China’s Response
The Chinese Coast Guard confirmed they took what they called “control measures,” accusing the Philippine vessels of illegally entering waters near Subi Reef and Sandy Cay. CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun claimed a Philippine ship approached dangerously and hit a Chinese vessel, asserting the incident was the Philippines’ fault.
Beijing continues to assert claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping territories also claimed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations. The Philippines refers to portions of these waters as the West Philippine Sea.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s sweeping claims. However, China has refused to recognize the ruling.