On Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese coast guard vessel employed a strong water cannon to ram into a Philippine government ship that was anchored near an island inhabited by Filipinos in the contested South China Sea, resulting in minor injuries.
Fortunately, there were no injuries among the crew of the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, which is part of a fishing fleet aiding local fishermen.
This incident marks another escalation in the ongoing territorial tensions involving Manila, Beijing, and several other nations. The Chinese coast guard directed their actions at the Pagbuaya near Thitu Island, which the Philippines calls Pag-asa.
China’s coast guard claimed that the Philippine ship was trespassing into what they consider Chinese waters close to Sandy Cay, a sandbar located between Chinese artificial islands. They alleged that the Philippine vessel ignored “repeated and severe warnings” from their side.
According to China’s government, they took necessary enforcement actions against the Philippine vessel in accordance with the law, asserting their dominance by driving it away.
China has long claimed sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a vital trade route, despite a 2016 arbitration ruling that dismissed these historical claims. This ruling, while rejected by China, has been endorsed by the United States and a coalition of Western and Asian allies, including Japan and Australia.
The Pagbuaya, along with two other vessels from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, were anchored in Philippine territorial waters off Thitu when they were approached by what are believed to be Chinese coast guard and militia ships. According to Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriera, these vessels engaged in “dangerous and provocative actions,” but he emphasized that such actions would not compel Manila to “surrender even a square inch” of its territory.
A Chinese Coast Guard vessel, identified by its bow number 21559, reportedly sprayed water on the BRP Datu Pagbuaya and subsequently rammed into its stern, causing minor structural damage but not harming the crew.
A video shared by the Philippine Coast Guard depicted a Chinese vessel firing water cannons at the Philippine ship, which also showed two Philippine flags being hit.
A Filipino boat was seen retreating from the Chinese Coast Guard, and despite what he described as bullying tactics, Tarriera affirmed the Coast Guard’s determination not to be intimidated or forced out.
Chinese spokesman Liu Dejun indicated that the Philippine ships entered waters near Sandy Cay without appropriate permissions, attributing responsibility for the incident to the Philippines. He accused them of jeopardizing peace in the South China Sea and issued a “stern warning” to halt their actions.
Philippine Coast Guard Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan expressed that the harassment only strengthens their resolve. He emphasized the importance of these waters to Filipino fishermen and reiterated a commitment to not cede any territory to foreign powers.
Thitu Island is the largest among nine islands, islets, and reefs that host the Philippine military, particularly within the Spratly Islands, which is a significantly contested area in the South China Sea, home to fishing communities as well. China has transformed seven desolate reefs into fortified island bases equipped with military systems, including three with airstrips, such as Subi, which is located slightly over 19 miles from Thitu, also claimed by China.
This recent territorial stand-off exacerbates the domestic challenges facing the Marcos government, amidst dealing with a recent earthquake that resulted in over 80 fatalities and a series of typhoons causing severe damage in the affected regions.
