NMC ‘gravely concerned’ over water cannons vs PH research ship

In this handout photo grabbed from video provided by the Philippine Coast Guard/Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (PCG/BFAR), a Chinese Coast Guard ship, left, uses a water cannon and sideswipped a Philippine fisheries vessel on a research mission near one of three sandbars called Sandy Cay in the disputed South China Sea on Wednesday May 21, 2025. (PCG/BFAR via AP)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Maritime Council (NMC) is “gravely concerned” over an incident where the China Coast Guard (CCG) water-cannoned and sideswiped a Philippine research ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) and BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003) were on a routine marine scientific research mission near Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) on Wednesday.

According to the BFAR, CCG Vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sanday twice, causing damage to the latter ship’s port bow and smokestack.

“The Philippines expresses grave concern over the recent aggressive actions and unlawful interference of the China Coast Guard against Philippine civilian public vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” the NMC said in a statement on Friday.

“It is deeply regrettable that while the Philippines’ lawful and routine maritime operations have not been provocative, these have been met by a pattern of coercive actions, unsafe conduct, and blatant disinformation by Chinese maritime forces,” it added.

READ: Chinese Coast Guard uses water cannons, sideswipes PH ship in WPS

The BFAR said the incident was the first time the CCG used water cannons against the bureau’s research vessels in the Pag-asa Cays.

The Pag-asa Cays were a point of contention between Manila and Beijing last April when Chinese state media reported that it had seized control of the area.

READ: PCG: Maritime op at Pag-asa Cay proves China’s claim is false

A contingent of representatives from the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group went to the Pag-asa Cays last April 27 in response.

“The Philippines has longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction over Pag-asa Island and all of its cays, which form part of the Philippines’ Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea,” the NMC said.

“As such, these deliberate acts of interference and intimidation seriously violate the sovereignty of the Philippines and constitute a grave violation of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the relevant domestic laws,” it added. /das/abc