A Chinese coast guard ship fired a powerful water cannon and then rammed a Philippine government vessel anchored near Thitu Island, causing minor damage but no injuries, in the latest flashpoint of the South China Sea dispute.
The incident occurred on Sunday when the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, part of the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources fleet, was anchored off Thitu Island (Pag-asa). According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese vessel with bow number 21559 first blasted the ship with a water cannon before ramming its stern, leaving structural damage.
Philippine officials condemned the act as “dangerous and provocative maneuvers”, stressing that Manila would not yield “a square inch of our territory to any foreign power.” Commodore Jay Tarriela and Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan both reaffirmed that Filipino personnel would continue to safeguard local fisherfolk despite intimidation.
China, however, accused the Philippine vessels of illegally entering Chinese waters near Sandy Cay, which lies between Thitu and China’s artificial island base at Subi Reef. Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun claimed the Philippine ships ignored repeated warnings and caused the scrape themselves, warning Manila to “immediately stop infringement and harassment.”
The clash drew swift condemnation from the United States, with Ambassador MaryKay Carlson praising the Filipino crew’s “tremendous valor and skill” and denouncing China’s actions as violations of international law. Washington reiterated its support for the Philippines, a treaty ally, and emphasized the 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea a ruling Beijing continues to reject.
Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows the Chinese vessel firing a water cannon at the Pagbuaya, striking the ship and its two Philippine flags. Despite the aggression, the Filipino-manned vessel maneuvered away without casualties.
The confrontation underscores the volatile situation in the Spratly Islands, where Thitu is the largest Philippine-held outpost. China has transformed seven reefs into fortified island bases, three equipped with runways, including Subi Reef just 20 kilometers from Thitu. The proximity of these military outposts continues to heighten the risk of clashes in one of the world’s busiest trade routes.
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