On the morning of October 12, 2025, tensions in the South China Sea flared once again as a Chinese Coast Guard vessel rammed and blasted a Philippine government ship with a high-pressure water cannon near Pag-asa Island, also known internationally as Thitu Island. The incident, which unfolded at around 9:15 a.m., marked yet another alarming episode in the ongoing maritime disputes between the Philippines and China, drawing swift condemnation from the international community and sparking renewed calls for restraint and respect for international law.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the confrontation began when the Chinese Coast Guard ship CCG-21559 targeted the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a vessel operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The Datu Pagbuaya was anchored off Pag-asa Island to assist local fishermen as part of the government’s Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda program, an initiative launched by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support Filipino fisherfolk facing Chinese harassment and harsh weather conditions in the disputed waters.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela recounted the morning’s events, stating that three BFAR ships were anchored in the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island when they “faced dangerous and provocative maneuvers from the CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.” At around 8:15 a.m., Chinese maritime forces approached “dangerously close, activating their water cannons as a clear threat against the BFAR vessels.”
Just minutes later, at 9:15 a.m., the Chinese Coast Guard ship unleashed its high-pressure water cannon on the BRP Datu Pagbuaya. By 9:18 a.m., the same vessel rammed the stern of the Philippine ship, causing minor structural damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the impact briefly disrupted the BFAR vessel’s operations. The incident occurred well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), an area the country has sovereign rights over according to international law.
Pag-asa Island, situated about 480 kilometers west of Palawan and part of the municipality of Kalayaan, is the largest of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). It is home to a small civilian community, a military detachment, and numerous facilities supporting fishermen and maritime monitoring. The island’s strategic significance has long made it a flashpoint in the broader contest for control over the South China Sea.
This weekend’s incident was not an isolated event. In recent months, Philippine vessels have repeatedly faced harassment from Chinese maritime forces. Just last month, another BFAR ship, the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, sustained damage when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel’s water cannon shattered a bridge window near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, injuring a crew member. Similar confrontations have been reported near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Escoda Shoal, where Philippine resupply and monitoring missions have been subjected to high-pressure water blasts, dangerous blocking tactics, and ramming.
Despite these aggressive maneuvers, Philippine authorities remain steadfast. “Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions, the PCG and BFAR remain resolute. 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,” Commodore Jay Tarriela asserted, according to the Associated Press.
The Chinese Coast Guard, for its part, has placed blame squarely on the Philippines. Spokesperson Liu Dejun claimed that the Philippine vessels “illegally entered waters near Sandy Cay, which China calls Tiexian Reef, without the permission of the Chinese government.” He stated, “The responsibility rests entirely with the Philippine side,” and accused Manila of undermining peace and stability in the region.
In response, the National Maritime Council (NMC), an interagency body established by President Marcos to bolster maritime security, condemned the incident as both “illegal” and “reckless.” The NMC emphasized that Pag-asa Island is an integral part of Philippine territory and that the country exercises full sovereignty and jurisdiction over it. “The Philippines is clearly within its rights to conduct routine maritime operations in and around Pag-asa Island, and will continue to do so,” the council declared in a statement.
The NMC further highlighted that the operations of BFAR and PCG vessels in the area are a “valid exercise” of Philippine sovereignty and are consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. “The Philippines will undertake the appropriate diplomatic action to convey its strong objections to the aggressive and illegal actions of China,” the NMC said. “China must be sincere and hold true to its call for dialogue and consultation by demonstrating constructive actions and desisting from all provocative actions.”
The international community responded swiftly. The United States, European Union (EU), United Kingdom, and Japan all condemned China’s actions and reiterated calls for respect for international law. The U.S. State Department described the incident as “dangerous and undermining regional stability,” expressing strong support for its Philippine allies. U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson praised the “tremendous valor and skill by Filipino personnel in the face of China’s dangerous ramming and use of water cannons,” declaring that the U.S. “condemns China’s aggressive actions in defiance of international law and supports the Philippines in pursuit of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.”
The European Union in the Philippines echoed these sentiments, stating, “Chinese dangerous actions today in the waters of Pag-asa Island further destabilise in the SCS/WPS.” The EU called for restraint and full respect for the rules-based international order, including UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and stressed that “freedom of navigation must be upheld.” The British Embassy called for an end to “dangerous tactics” and urged the peaceful resolution of disputes, while Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya expressed serious concern over the repeated dangerous actions of the Chinese Coast Guard.
Analysts have warned that these incidents reflect a “dangerous and escalating pattern of aggression.” The Stratbase ADR Institute, a Manila-based policy think tank, described China’s actions as “brazen” and “deeply alarming,” urging the Philippine government to respond decisively and to strengthen its deterrence by deepening partnerships with like-minded states and modernizing its armed forces and coast guard.
President Marcos has responded to these provocations by reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to “defend every inch” of its territory and authorizing closer coordination with allies. The country has strengthened defense ties with the United States, Japan, and Australia, holding joint maritime exercises and expanding access to military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The Department of Foreign Affairs announced that it will file a diplomatic protest over the incident, adding to the more than 241 formal complaints lodged against Beijing since Marcos took office in 2022.
As the standoff continues, Filipino leaders and their international partners remain united in their resolve to uphold the country’s sovereign rights and to push back against what they see as a clear violation of international norms. The waters around Pag-asa Island, once a quiet fishing ground, have become a symbol of the Philippines’ determination to defend its maritime territory—no matter how rough the seas may get.
