Philippine slams China’s water cannon attack on BFAR ship

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June 23, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines yesterday condemned what it described as the unlawful and aggressive actions of the Chinese coast guard near Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea as it vowed to continue defending its sovereignty in the area.

The latest incident to stir tensions in the strategic sea lane took place on June 20, when BRP Datu Taradapit, a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), was hit with a water cannon by China Coast Guard ship 4203 while delivering supplies to Filipino fisherfolk near the shoal.

The BFAR vessel also faced unsafe maneuvers from the Chinese ship, which had intended to obstruct the supply mission, according to earlier reports.

“The Philippine government strongly condemns the China Coast Guard’s latest aggressive actions against Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels conducting legitimate maritime patrols and fisheries support operations near Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea,” the National Maritime Council said in a statement.

“These actions violate international law, specifically UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the 2016 arbitral ruling and jeopardize the safety of Philippine personnel and local fishing communities,” the council added.

The National Maritime Council maintained that the BFAR vessels’ presence and operations in the area are “lawful, routine, and focused on food security and public welfare.” The BFAR vessels remained professional and completed their mission despite provocations, it added.

“We call on China to cease unlawful actions, act with restraint, and adhere to international law to maintain regional peace and stability,” it said. “The Philippines reaffirms its commitment to defending sovereignty and supporting Filipino fishermen and will direct Philippine maritime forces to continue lawful operations with professionalism and determination.”

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Chinese coast guard ship 3105 also targeted BRP Datu Tamblot, another BFAR vessel, with a water cannon but the attack missed its mark. Six CCG vessels, two Chinese navy warships and multiple Chinese maritime militia vessels were monitored throughout the operation, the PCG added.

“It is crucial to emphasize that the operations conducted by BFAR vessels are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. Filipino fishermen have sovereign rights to exploit resources in these waters, particularly for fishing,” PCG spokesman on the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a recent statement.

Stay in the middle

Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday said that in the rift between China and the US, the country should not be caught in the middle of the issues of the two countries.

“It is stated in the Constitution that we should have an independent foreign policy that does not lean to a foreign power, that does not favor the US or does not favor China,” said Duterte.

“I do not understand why our independent foreign policy (is) lost in the discussions. You should be friends with everyone. Do not side with anyone because their problems are not your problem,” the Vice President also said.

She believed that the Philippines “should always stay in the middle because you are not a part of the bigger conflict. You always stay in the middle” and remain friends with them.

“Our problems in the WPS do not make up our entire relations with China. Therefore, there is no reason for you to lean toward the US,” she added.

“We already won the arbitral award. We already have an award from that case that we filed using the UNCLOS. We already won and the whole world knows that the arbitral awards ruled in favor of the Philippines,” she said. — Evelyn Macairan