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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, China trade blame in latest sea spat; US, EU slam CCG's water cannon attack

PH, China trade blame in latest sea spat; US, EU slam CCG's water cannon attack

Published Oct 12, 2025 04:26 pm
A China Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at BRP Datu Pagbuaya while the latter is in Pag-asa Island, West Philippine Sea on Oct. 12, 2025 during a humanitarian mission. (PCG Photo
A China Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at BRP Datu Pagbuaya while the latter is in Pag-asa Island, West Philippine Sea on Oct. 12, 2025 during a humanitarian mission. (PCG Photo
The Philippines and China accused each other of aggressive actions in a contested island in South China Sea in the latest maritime confrontation that further escalated the already tensed relations in the resource-rich waterway.

The United States, through Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, also condemned China’s latest actions.

“Tremendous valor and skill by Filipino personnel in the face of China's dangerous ramming and use of water cannons near Thitu/Pag-asa Island,” she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Oct. 12.

“The (US) condemns China's aggressive actions in defiance of international law and supports the (Philippines) in pursuit of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” she added.

In a separate post, the European Union Delegation to the Philippines noted China's "dangerous actions" in the waters of Pag-asa Island further destabilized in the South China Sea.

"We reiterate our call for restraint and full respect for the rules-based international order, including UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. Freedom of navigation must be held," the EU in the Philippines wrote. This post was shared by EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the China Coast Guard (CCG) fired water cannon directly at a Philippine vessel before ramming its stern.

While it caused minor damages, there were no reported injuries.

The three Philippine vessels were anchored at the Pag-asa Island as part of the government’s program to protect local fishermen when CCG ships reportedly approached and intimidated them, the PCG said.

But the CCG said in state-owned Global Times that the Philippine vessels “illegally intruded” into Chinese waters, with a Chinese expert slamming the Philippines for violating Beijing’s territorial sovereignty.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), a diplomatic protest will be filed against China for the latest intrusion.

The South China Sea is a heavily contested area claimed in part by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei Darussalam, and almost in its entirety by China.

Related Tags

China Coast Guard United States MaryKay Carlson PCG water cannon
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