Tensions in the West Philippine Sea escalated on December 4 as five Chinese ships shot powerful water cannon and rammed Philippine vessels conducting routine maritime patrols near Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, provided a detailed account of the incident. Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels 5303, 3302, and 3104, along with two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, identified by their bow numbers 500 and 571, carried out aggressive maneuvers against PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels.

“At around 6.30 am, CCG 3302 fired a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003), aiming directly at the vessel’s navigational antennas while it was located 16 nautical miles south of Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela revealed in a statement.

He added that the same Chinese vessel deliberately sideswiped the BRP Datu Pagbuaya on its starboard side and launched a second water cannon attack shortly after at 6.55 am on December 4.

Other Philippine vessels, including the BRP Teresa Magbanua, faced blocking, shadowing, and dangerous maneuvers by PLAN vessel 500 and CCG 503, Tarriela said. Further, the BRP Cabra endured reckless actions by CCG 3104, which came as close as 300 yards to the Philippine vessel.

Despite these hostile actions, the PCG and BFAR remained steadfast in their mission to protect Philippine waters and the rights of local fishermen. “We will continue to be vigilant in safeguarding our national interests in the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela asserted.

Chinese Coast Guard vessel 3302 firing a powerful water cannon at a Philippine BFAR vessel near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on December 4.

Aggression extends to Escoda Shoal

A similar incident unfolded near Escoda Shoal, where four PCG and BFAR vessels were dispatched in response to distress calls from Filipino fishermen reporting harassment by Chinese Coast Guard boats.

“When the BFAR vessel was monitored by the Chinese Coast Guard vessels 21558 and 21559, they immediately conducted a blocking maneuver to prevent BRP Romapenet of the BFAR from proceeding to the closest area where the Filipino fishermen are located,” Tarriela disclosed during a press conference on December 4 afternoon.

He added that CCG 21549 maneuvered dangerously close to Philippine vessels, side-swiping the BRP Datu Bankaw twice and intentionally ramming the BRP Datu Romapenet, causing structural damage.

“In total, we have documented the presence of six Chinese Coast Guard vessels in Escoda Shoal,” Tarriela said, listing CCG vessels 5205, 5305, 5203, 21558, and 21559, alongside PLAN vessel 167.

The presence of PLAN warships in both incidents marked a significant escalation.

“This is actually the first time that we have documented a PLAN warship shadowing a Coast Guard vessel in Bajo de Masinloc at a distance of only 300 yards,” Tarriela emphasized.

The much bigger Chinese Coast Guard vessel 21559 intentionally rammed the smaller BRP Datu Romapenet.

Condemnation from Filipino officials 

The incidents drew swift condemnation from lawmakers and former government officials. Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan denounced the aggression as “irresponsible” and “dangerous”, urging the government to take action.

“China has no right to do this because it is Philippine territorial waters,” he stressed, calling for a diplomatic protest to assert the country’s sovereign rights under international law.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada labeled the harassment as a “blatant violation of international law” and a direct assault on the nation’s sovereignty. Estrada urged the government to bring the matter to international forums, calling for global condemnation of China’s actions.

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito echoed these sentiments, describing the incident as “brazen bullying” that underscores the urgent need to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “We need a minimum credible defense posture to put an end to these abuses,” he said.

International backlash 

The harassment also drew widespread criticism from the international community.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson condemned the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers, describing them as reckless actions that endangered lives. “The PRC’s unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers disrupted a Philippine maritime operation on December 4, putting lives at risk,” Carlson said on X. 

She reaffirmed America’s “ironclad” commitment to the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

The European Union expressed similar concerns. EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro criticized China’s actions as violations of international maritime law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “Such behavior clearly runs counter to UNCLOS and international maritime safety regulations,” he said.

New Zealand and Finland also condemned China’s aggressive posture. The New Zealand Embassy in Manila described the presence of PLAN vessels as “deeply worrying”, while Finnish Ambassador Saija Nurimen called for adherence to international law to resolve disputes peacefully.

In contrast, the Chinese Embassy in Manila on December 4 accused the Philippines of provocation, claiming that Philippine vessels had intentionally rammed a CCG ship. “The Philippines will be held accountable for all consequences arising from this,” said CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun.

The confrontation is part of a long-standing territorial dispute between the two nations, fueled by Beijing’s expansive claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. 

The Philippines refers to the waters within its 200-nautical-mile EEZ as the West Philippine Sea. In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal invalidated China’s claims, ruling in favor of Manila. However, Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling and continues its aggressive actions in the disputed waters.

To defend sovereignty

Amid these challenges, Tarriela reiterated the PCG’s commitment to safeguarding Philippine sovereignty. In a post on X, he stressed that Bajo de Masinloc, classified as a rock under the 2016 Arbitral Award, is within Philippine jurisdiction.

“The Philippines has sovereignty over it, including its territorial sea. The waters beyond Bajo de Masinloc’s 12-nautical-mile territorial sea fall within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, measured from Luzon’s baseline,” Tarriela said.

“Consequently, the PCG and BFAR vessels are legitimately patrolling our waters, while it is China that is encroaching upon them and militarizing the area by deploying PLA Navy vessels to shadow PCG operations,” Tarriela asserted.

He added: “The dangerous maneuvers and water cannon harassment by the CCG are not standard law enforcement actions; rather, [they] should be interpreted as unlawful aggression by international law violators.”

The PCG has vowed to continue its patrols and assist Filipino fishermen, reinforcing the nation’s stand against foreign intrusion. As diplomatic efforts and global scrutiny grow, the Philippines remains firm in defending its rights in the West Philippine Sea.

All photos credit: National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea

Top photo: Chinese Coast Guard vessel 3302 firing a powerful water cannon at a Philippine BFAR vessel near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on December 4.