Chinese Vessel Hits Philippine Ship in Disputed Waters
Udumbara
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A Chinese coast guard ship struck a Philippine government vessel on Oct. 12 in disputed waters in the South China Sea. The Chinese ship fired its water cannon at Philippine vessels and shortly afterward struck the stern of one of the vessels.
The ship that was hit, the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, suffered minor structural damage from the impact, and no crew members were injured in the collision. The vessel is operated by the Bureau of Fisheries to support Filipino fishermen.
The National Maritime Council of the Philippines said in a statement that it “strongly condemns the latest act of aggression by the China Coast Guard.”
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, three Bureau of Fisheries vessels were anchored by the island of Thitu (known locally as Pagasa), when Chinese ships approached and activated their water cannons. The Chinese Coast Guard ship then rammed the Filipino-manned ship, the Philippine Coast Guard stated. The Philippine Maritime Council condemned the aggression, saying Chinese maritime forces had deliberately rammed the vessel.
A spokesperson for China’s coast guard, Liu Dejun, said that Philippine official vessels intruded, ignored multiple warnings and “dangerously approached” the Chinese coast guard vessel, resulting in a collision.
“The harassment we faced today only strengthens our resolve,” Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, the Philippine coast guard commandant, said in a statement. “Filipino fisherfolk depend on these waters, and neither water cannons nor ramming will deter us.”
The United States immediately expressed support for the Philippines on X.
“The U.S. condemns China’s aggressive actions in defiance of international law and supports the Philippines in pursuit of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson said.
A 2016 Hague arbitration ruling between the Philippines and China invalidated China’s historic claims to the South China Sea. China rejected the court’s decision, while the United States, Japan, Australia, the European Union, and Canada have accepted it. The Chinese regime has repeatedly reasserted territorial claims in the South China Sea.
This incident is the latest in the decades-long dispute over control of the trade routes of the South China Sea. The routes are critical to maritime transit and global commerce. The seabeds are also estimated to contain rich reserves of oil and gas.
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