The China Coast Guard used water cannons against a Philippine vessel near Pag-asa Island, escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea. This incident, occurring within the island's 12-nautical-mile zone, marks a significant encroachment on Philippine territory and violates international maritime laws.
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article. TERRITORIAL WATERS. A China Coast Guard ship uses its water cannon against the BRP Datu Pagbuaya some 1.
7 nautical miles from Pagasa Island in the West Philippine Sea on October 12.MANILA, Philippines — Since the August 2025 collision of Chinese vessels near a shoal that Beijing has controlled since 2012, tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea has been quickly rising. On October 12, the China Coast Guard used its water cannons against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ’s BRP Datu Pagbuaya, less than two nautical miles from the shore of Pag-asa island. Two nautical miles is around 3.7 kilometers, a land distance most well-conditioned soldiers could easily run under 20 minutes. The incident is among the first publicly-reported instances of China using water cannons in Pag-asa’s territorial sea or the 12 nautical mile zone surrounding the feature. Philippine authorities are cautious about calling it an escalation of Chinese activities. But in harassing both fisherfolk and personnel aboard the BFAR ship, China wasn’t just violating the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or even the 2016 Arbitral Award. It was encroaching on Philippine territory — the worst, thus far, in a series of actions that continue to dial tensions up in the West Philippine Sea.between a Chinese Navy ship and a CCG vessel close to Scarborough Shoal. It was bound to happen, especially with China’s routinely aggressive actions in flashpoints in the West Philippine Sea. It was because of sheer luck and skill that it wasn’t a PCG ship that was on the receiving end of that maritime mishap.— even when its Ministry of Defense blamed the PCG for actions that supposedly “seriously endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel.”” in Scarborough Shoal, which they’ve controlled since 2012. Never mind that Chinese activities inside the shoal are believed to have caused, the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, again near Scarborough shoal. But it wasn’t just the water cannon use that was alarming. During that September 16 incident, the Chinese Navy “issued a radio broadcast announcing live fire exercises at specified coordinates” close to the shoal — causing “panic and fear” among the Filipino fisherfolk. The BFAR and PCG, erring on the side of caution, redirected all fisherfolk away from the box where the live fire exercises would supposedly take place.By all indications, it’s remained the same, amid changes in US priorities, personnel, and a name change to the “Department of War.” The tempo of military engagements remain to be the same, and whatever hiccups or disdain that were borne as a result of aThe Mutual Defense Treaty, after all, “extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft — including those of its Coast Guard — anywhere in the South China Sea,” theIt could also be China’s way of testing itself and communicating inwards. Upheavals and purges in the highest levels of the Chinese military structure, Brookings scholars Jonathan Czin and John Culver argue,A few days ago, before the start of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party’s annual plenum, the party announced that, including the Central Military Commission ’s vice chairman, top officials of the CMC’s political work department, as well as the army and navy’s political commissars, were expelled over suspicions of “serious financial crimes,” according to Beijing’s defense ministry. When there’s domestic tumult, it makes sense to make a louder noise in waters far, far away from the mainland. Perhaps, too, it’s China testing the Philippines — if its insistence on sending only white ships, civilian vessels, to control Chinese harassment in the West Philippine Sea still stands, or if it would now change in how it approaches Chinese aggression in those waters. Since around 2012, it’s become part of Philippine paradigm to send only civilian vessels — either the PCG’s white ships, or the BFAR’s blue vessels — to actively safeguard against China’s encroachment, through its CCG or maritime militia, in the West Philippine Sea. Smaller Navy vessels were stationed at Pag-asa when the water cannoning happened in the island’s territorial waters. They were on standby, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said, but the situation soon de-escalated. But what if it did not? The Armed Forces of the Philippines says it does not respond to hypotheticals. Within and outside the Navy, there’s been a not-so-silent push to change this long-standing policy and mentality — for the Philippines to send only the PCG’s lighter white ships to confront the China Coast Guard, if only to avoid escalating tensions with an already aggressive China. “Our PCG ships are equally facing Beijing’s naval and coast guard ships, operating together in the exercise of their illegal encroachment of our EEZ. Under this condition, the PCG should learn how to work jointly with the PN, under the direction of a single operational commander,” wrote retired Navy vice commander Rommel Ong in an White vs white in the West Philippine Sea isn’t fair game; the CCG, after all, is part of Beijing’s military structure. They have more ships to spare than the PCG and they have the Chinese maritime military as back up. People’s Liberation Army Navy also somehow manage to never stray too far when these confrontations in the West Philippine Sea take place. China has done this in the past: slowly inching closer and closer to red lines, sometimes making missteps, but never stepping back. It’s what happened in Mischief Reef back in 1995, when the Chinese lied about wanting to build but only a fisherman’s wharf. The Philippines sent the BRP Sierra Madre to Ayungin Shoal, where it still stands, and the BRP Benguet to Scarborough Shoal. The latter was later pulled out just before Manila’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, which the Chinese Premiere then was set to attend.. And then, to Beijing’s surprise, the Philippines withdrew its gray ships from the area. The Americans negotiated a mutual pullout — which Manila followed but Beijing did not. China has since controlled access to Scarborough, known locally as Bajo de Masinloc.Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.Philippine News
China Philippines West Philippine Sea Territorial Dispute Water Cannon Incident
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tropical Storm Ramil Exits Philippine Area of ResponsibilityTropical Storm Ramil, known internationally as Fengshen, is moving over the West Philippine Sea and is forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning. Several areas in Luzon remain under Signal No. 2, with the storm potentially re-intensifying as it moves westward.
Read more »
Tropical Storm Ramil Set to Exit PAR, Storm Signals Up in Northern LuzonTropical Storm Ramil is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday morning. Storm signals are up in Northern Luzon, with potential for intensification over the West Philippine Sea. Other areas of Luzon and the rest of the country will experience cloudy skies and rain.
Read more »
Australia Condemns Chinese Jet's Flare Deployment Near Patrol Plane in South China SeaAustralia has expressed strong concerns to China following an encounter in the South China Sea where a Chinese fighter jet deployed flares close to an Australian maritime patrol plane. The Australian Defence Department labeled the maneuver as 'unsafe and unprofessional', highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
Read more »
Philippine Navy Recovers Suspected Marijuana Worth P19.2 Million in West Philippine SeaThe Philippine Navy recovered a bag containing approximately 16 kilograms of suspected high-grade marijuana, estimated to be worth P19.2 million, near Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The recovery followed a tip and involved coordination between the Navy, MCAAU-W, and the Palawan Police. The drugs were turned over to PDEA-Palawan for evaluation.
Read more »
P19.2 Million Worth of Suspected Kush Seized in West Philippine SeaPhilippine authorities intercepted approximately P19.2 million worth of suspected kush, weighing about 16 kilograms, during a maritime patrol near Sabina Shoal. The illegal drugs were found in a black duffle bag and are now under investigation with the coordination of various law enforcement agencies.
Read more »
Philippine Navy Recovers Chinese Rocket Debris in Palawan WatersThe Philippine Navy ship BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) retrieved debris believed to be from a Chinese rocket off the coast of Palawan, days after a rocket launch by China. The metallic debris, displaying a Chinese flag, was discovered during an operation in the West Philippine Sea and is now being assessed after being transported to Puerto Princesa City. This incident follows similar discoveries and reports of rocket debris and related explosions in the region, linked to Chinese rocket launches.
Read more »