A new clash at sea has sparked sharp accusations between the Philippines and China. On Sunday, a Philippine government ship faced water cannons and a collision from a Chinese Coast Guard vessel. The incident happened near a disputed island in the South China Sea. Both nations are blaming each other for the encounter.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported the confrontation. They said their ship, BRP Datu Pagbuaya, suffered minor damage. Luckily, no crew members were hurt. This ship was part of a fleet helping Filipino fishermen in the area.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela gave details. He stated a Chinese Coast Guard ship aimed water cannons at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya. This occurred off Thitu Island, which the Philippines calls Pag-asa. The island is home to Filipino citizens. The confrontation took place only about 1.6 nautical miles, or nearly 3 kilometers, from the island.
Beyond the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, two other Philippine fishing vessels also came under water cannon fire from the Chinese. Those ships did not report any damage or injuries. Commodore Tarriela explained that the BRP Datu Pagbuaya and two other Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships were anchored. They were in the waters claimed by Thitu Island. Then, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, number 21559, along with suspected maritime militia boats, approached. These boats performed “dangerous and provocative maneuvers,” he said.
The Chinese vessel first fired its water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya. Just three minutes later, it “rammed its stern,” causing minor structural harm to the Philippine ship. Philippine Coast Guard officials released a video. It shows the Chinese Coast Guard ship blasting water cannons, hitting both Philippine flags on the vessel.
On the other side, the Chinese Coast Guard quickly issued its own statement. Spokesperson Liu Dejun claimed the Philippine ships “illegally entered Chinese waters.” This happened near Sandy Cay, a sandbar also claimed by both countries. Liu stated that the Philippine ships “ignored repeated warnings.” He said the Chinese Coast Guard took “control measures” as allowed by law. They “expelled them resolutely,” he added.
Liu Dejun also accused one Philippine ship of getting too close to a Chinese Coast Guard vessel. He said this dangerous approach led to a collision. Liu placed “full responsibility” on the Philippine side. He then warned the Philippines to “immediately stop violations and provocations.”
This latest event highlights the growing tensions in the Spratly Islands. This area is one of the most disputed parts of the South China Sea. China claims almost all of these vast waters. However, an international arbitration ruling in 2016 rejected China’s historical claims. Despite that ruling, China often disregards it, leading to ongoing confrontations.
Source: AP