Chinese ship used water cannon, sideswiped PH vessel in Sandy Cay — BFAR

A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship reportedly fired water cannon and sideswiped a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Thursday.

In a statement, BFAR said its BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya were on a routine mission with a scientific team to collect sand samples in the area as part of a marine scientific research initiative.

“At approximately 0913H, CCG vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) twice, resulting in some damage to the latter’s port bow and smokestack, and putting at risk lives of its civilian personnel onboard,” BFAR said.

“This incident marks the first time water cannons have been used against DA-BFAR research vessels in the area of the Pag-Asa Cays,” it added.

A China Coast Guard ship reportedly fired water cannon and sideswiped a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday. ????: PCG @gmanews pic.twitter.com/IGqXVrHk9c

— Joviland Rita (@jovilandxrita) May 22, 2025

BFAR said the Philippine scientific team was able to complete its operations in Pag-asa Cays 1, 2 and 3 despite the CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels’ “aggressive, dangerous, and illegal” actions.

The bureau pointed out that the incident happened within the territorial sea of the Philippines in the area of Pag-asa Island and Pag-asa Cay 2, which are part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS.

“BFAR remains committed to scientific integrity, sustainable fisheries management, and the protection of national interests in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international and domestic law,” BFAR said.

China responds

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila. However, in a statement, the China Coast Guard (CCG) said that it took "control measures" against the Philippine vessels which it said "illegally intruded" into waters near Subi Reef and Sandy Cay.

CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun also claimed that one of the Philippine vessels "dangerously" approached and collided with a CCG ship, and that responsibility "lies entirely" with the Philippine side.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — with a report from Reuters/RSJ/BM, GMA Integrated News