CITIZENS NEWS

Philippine Coast Guard condemns Chinese aggression near disputed island

By bellecarter // 2025-10-14

• The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that Chinese ships executed "dangerous maneuvers" and fired water cannons at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, causing minor hull damage. Officials condemned the actions as unprovoked coercion.
• Beijing denied wrongdoing, claiming Philippine vessels "illegally intruded" into its waters and forced defensive measures. This contradicts the 2016 Hague ruling, which rejected China's expansive South China Sea claims.
• PCG-released video captures the moment a Chinese vessel rammed the Filipino ship and blasted it with water cannons. Despite the aggression, Philippine officials vowed to remain "undeterred" in protecting fishermen.
• The U.S. Embassy in Manila denounced China's aggression, reaffirming support for the Philippines and a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific. The South China Sea sees $3.4 trillion in annual trade, heightening strategic tensions.
• The clash underscores Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s tougher stance compared to his predecessor, with China militarizing artificial islands nearby. Analysts warn of potential wider conflict if diplomacy fails.

The Philippines has accused China of "deliberate ramming" and using water cannons against one of its vessels in the contested South China Sea, marking the latest escalation in a decades-long territorial dispute. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship struck the stern of the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a government fisheries vessel anchored near Thitu Island (known locally as Pag-asa), causing minor damage but no injuries. China, however, blamed the Philippines for the incident, claiming Philippine vessels "illegally intruded" into its waters—a claim Manila firmly rejects. The confrontation highlights the growing tensions in one of the world's most strategically vital waterways, where overlapping territorial claims have led to repeated standoffs between China, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations. According to Philippine officials, the incident unfolded early Sunday morning Oct. 12, when three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels were anchored within the territorial waters of Thitu Island—a Philippine-administered feature in the Spratly archipelago. At approximately 8:15 a.m., Chinese ships approached and began executing "dangerous and provocative maneuvers," PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement. By 9:15 a.m., CCG vessel 21559 fired its water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, striking the ship. Three minutes later, the same Chinese vessel allegedly rammed the Philippine ship's stern. Footage released by the PCG shows the moment the water cannon blast hits the Filipino vessel, sending water cascading over its deck. Despite the aggression, Tarriela emphasized that the PCG and BFAR remain "undeterred" in protecting Filipino fishermen. "We will not be intimidated or driven away," he said. "Our presence in the Kalayaan Island Group is crucial for protecting the rights and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen." Beijing swiftly denied wrongdoing, instead accusing the Philippines of instigating the clash. In a statement, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun claimed that Philippine vessels "ignored repeated stern warnings" and "dangerously approached" the Chinese ship, forcing it to take "control measures." "Full responsibility lies with the Philippine side," Liu said, warning Manila to "immediately stop infringement and harassment." China's stance contradicts the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated Beijing's expansive "nine-dash line" claims over the South China Sea. The Philippines won that legal battle, but China has refused to acknowledge the decision, continuing to assert dominance over the strategic waterway.

International reactions and strategic stakes

The United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, condemned China's actions. U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay L. Carlson posted on X (formerly Twitter): "The U.S. condemns China's aggressive actions in defiance of international law and supports the Philippines in pursuit of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific." The South China Sea is a critical maritime corridor, with an estimated $3.4 trillion in trade passing through annually, according to BrightU.AI's Enoch. Beneath its waters lie vast oil and gas reserves, fueling competing claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. China's militarization of artificial islands—including Subi Reef, just 12 miles from Thitu—has heightened tensions. Analysts warn that confrontations like Sunday's could escalate into a larger conflict if diplomatic efforts fail. For the Philippines, the incident underscores Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s tougher stance on maritime sovereignty compared to his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who pursued closer ties with Beijing. Marcos has vowed not to cede "a single square inch" of Philippine territory. Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG commandant, reinforced that message: "The harassment we faced today only strengthens our resolve. Filipino fisherfolk depend on these waters, and neither water cannons nor ramming will deter us." As both nations trade accusations, the risk of further clashes looms. With China unwilling to retreat and the Philippines refusing to back down, the South China Sea remains a flashpoint where diplomacy and deterrence hang in precarious balance. Watch the video below where China warns U.S., Japan, Australia and the Philippines that it will uphold territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com Facebook.com ABCNews.Go.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com

China terrorism violence South China Sea philippines chaos escalation aggression Philippine Coast Guard PCG CCG Chinese Coast Guard disputed island maritime rights territorial sovereignty deliberate ramming Thitu Island