7 foreign missions condemn China’s ramming, water cannon attack near Pag-asa

MANILA, Philippines — Seven foreign missions in the Philippines have called out China’s latest actions in the West Philippine Sea after Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels rammed and fired water cannons at Philippine vessels near Pag-asa Island over the weekend.

Embassies and ambassadors of the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Finland and the European Union Delegation to the Philippines issued separate statements as of Monday, October 13, expressing alarm and urging China to cease its “dangerous” tactics at sea.

On Sunday, October 12, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 21559 reportedly fired a high-pressure water cannon and later rammed the stern of the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, one of three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships anchored off Pag-asa Island that day for a humanitarian mission for Filipino fishers.

The impact caused minor damage but no injuries, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

This latest flare-up is part of a steady escalation of Beijing’s willingness to confront and chase Philippine vessels around maritime features it claims sovereignty over, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its so-called nine-dash line in the South China Sea.

The incident has since drawn rebuke from the National Maritime Council, which condemned the Chinese vessels’ “illegal and reckless actions.” The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it will lodge a diplomatic protest.

Expressions of support. Countries vocal in their support of freedom of navigation and the Philippines’ maritime rights likewise released statements denouncing China’s actions.

The United States condemned China’s “aggressive actions in defiance of international law.”

“Tremendous valor and skill by Filipino personnel in the face of China’s dangerous ramming and use of water cannons near Thitu or Pag-asa Island,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson wrote on X. “The United States condemns China’s aggressive actions and supports the Philippines in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The British Embassy in Manila said the UK was “concerned by the latest act of ramming and water cannon used by the Chinese Coast Guard against Philippine civilian vessels,” calling for “an end to dangerous tactics in the South China Sea.”

The European Union Delegation to the Philippines warned that such actions “further destabilize” the region, urging “full respect for the rules-based international order,” including the 2016 arbitral award.

Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said Tokyo was “seriously concerned about the repeated dangerous actions by the CCG” and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown said disputes must be resolved “peacefully and in accordance with international law,” while Finnish Ambassador Saija Nurminen echoed concerns and urged respect for international law.

The New Zealand Embassy in Manila similarly condemned the Chinese vessels’ “dangerous actions” against the BFAR ships. “Contact between vessels and the use of water cannons endangers lives at sea and risks increasing tensions. New Zealand firmly calls for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with UNCLOS,” it said.

PCG's take. In a Monday morning briefing, the PCG released more details about the incident and confirmed that three BFAR vessels — BRP Datu Pagbuaya, BRP Datu Bankaw, and BRP Datu Sanday — were hit by water cannons from CCG vessel 21559.

PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said five CCG ships, over 15 Chinese maritime militia vessels, a People’s Liberation Army Navy warship, and a helicopter were monitored in the area.

Tarriela described the ramming of BRP Datu Pagbuaya as “intentional” based on drone footage and stressed that the proximity of the Chinese ships marked the closest harassment yet near the island — at a distance of only 1.6 to 1.8 nautical miles.

Pag-asa Island, located about 277 kilometers west of Palawan, is the largest Philippine-held feature in the Spratly Islands and home to a small civilian community. The maritime council reiterated in its statement that the island is part of Philippine territory.