Senators on Monday, August 11 commended the response of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel who offered assistance and medical aid to the injured Chinese crew members that figured in a collision in Bajo de Masinloc after trying to ward off Philippine vessels in the area.

The image shows the exact moment when China Coast Guard (CCG) ship "3104" collided with a Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warship "164" while chasing BRP Suluan in Bajo de Masinloc, West Philippine Sea on Aug. 11, 2025. (Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada also said the collision of the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship “is a classic case of reaping what one sows,” as their tactics against Filipino manned vessels not only endanger the country’s maritime personnel and fisherfolk but also escalate tensions unnecessarily.

“This is a classic case of reaping what one sows. The Chinese Coast Guard must cease and desist from engaging in dangerous maneuvers against our Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other maritime vessels. These tactics not only endanger our maritime personnel and fisherfolk—they also escalate tensions unnecessarily. Nothing good will come of such actions, except the empty display of logistical superiority,” Estrada said in a statement.

Nonetheless, the senator said the Filipinos will not be cowed and “will continue to defend our sovereignty, protect our people, and uphold the rule of law.”

“I also commend the professionalism and magnanimous act of our PCG personnel, who offered assistance and medical aid to the injured Chinese crew members—even in the face of the continuing reckless aggression by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA),” he noted.

“Nagawa pa nilang mag-alok ng tulong matapos na makaranas muli sila ng pag-water cannon (They were even able to offer help after they experienced water cannoning again),” the senator said.

Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros also commended the PCG’s actions despite the adversity they faced from Chinese maritime authorities.

“China should stop this violence. Dahil sa gigil nilang itaboy ang mga Pilipino sa sarili nating karagatan, ang mismong mga barko nila —ang Chinese Coast Guard at Chinese  Navy— ang nagkabanggaan (Because they were so eager to drive Filipinos from our own waters, their own ships—the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Navy—collided),” Hontiveros said.

“This proves that Beijing’s own actions are reckless, and endanger their own people. I hope they take this incident as a lesson,” she also said.

Hontiveros also saluted the PCG for implementing the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

“Even though China has been bullying them, they still offered assistance in the accident of Chinese ships. That embodies the true Filipino spirit of honor and integrity,” she said.

Nevertheless, she reiterated her call for the government to support the country’s fisherfolk to the fullest extent possible, and to allow them continued access to their traditional fishing areas in the Bajo de Masinloc.

“It is also crucial that we maintain a year-round maritime law enforcement presence to safeguard our fisherfolk. Kahit ano pang panghaharass ng China, hinding-hindi nila maiaalis ang katotohanan na atin ang West Philippine Sea (No matter how much harassment China does, they will never be able to remove the fact that the West Philippine Sea is ours),” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also commended the PCG: “We're grateful that despite the harassment, our Coast Guard personnel are safe and able to continue their duty of patrolling our territorial waters.”

But Villanueva said this latest incident at the West Philippine Sea only shows the peril the country’s troops face in “asserting our rightful jurisdiction on our waters.”

“We're grateful that despite the harassment, our Coast Guard personnel are safe and able to continue their duty of patrolling our territorial waters,” Villanueva said.

“We reiterate to the Chinese Coast Guard and fishing militia: Your continued presence and operation at the West Philippine Sea is illegal and unauthorized. The West Philippine Sea is ours. Get out of Philippine waters!” he stressed.