China fires water cannon, rams BFAR vessel in West PH Sea

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines said China fired a water cannon and rammed a civilian vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, Oct.12.

The National Maritime Council (NMC) strongly condemned what it called the “latest act of aggression” by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and its maritime militia vessels within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island.

“The proximity of CCG’s illegal and reckless actions to Pag-asa Island is of grave concern to the Philippines,” the council said.

“The Philippines will undertake the appropriate diplomatic action to convey its strong objections to the aggressive and illegal actions of China, and urges it to immediately cease these actions, respect international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and avoid further escalation in the region,” the NMC said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the BRP Datu Pagbuaya and two other BFAR vessels were anchored in the territorial seas of Pag-asa Island when they faced “dangerous and provocative maneuvers” from the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia vessels.

The PCG said the civilian vessels were near Pag-asa Island to provide protection for Filipino fisherfolk as part of the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” program.

The PCG said a CCG vessel with bow number 21559 fired its water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya.

“[T]he same CCG vessel deliberately rammed the stern of the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, causing minor structural damage but no injuries to the crew,” the PCG said.

According to Chinese state media, the CCG said the BFAR vessels “illegally entered” the waters near Sandy Cay, a coral reef within Spratly Islands, and that one of the vessels “dangerously approached” the CCG ship, resulting in a collision.

The CCG claimed that the “full responsibility” lies with the Philippines.

The NMC said the Philippines is clearly within its rights to conduct routine maritime operations in Pag-asa Island, and that Philippine actions in the territorial waters are a valid exercise of the national country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction.

“We will not be intimidated or driven away, as our presence in the Kalayaan Island Group is crucial for protecting the rights and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen,” the coast guard said.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson also condemned what she said “aggressive actions” of China, including the “dangerous ramming” of the BFAR vessel.

Pag-asa Island, internationally known as Thitu Island, is a Philippine-controlled outpost and the only civilian-inhabited island in the Spratlys.

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In 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, declaring China’s nine-dashed line and its claimed historic rights over almost the entire South China Sea unlawful.

China continues to reject the binding 2016 arbitral award and is now asserting a 10-dash claim.