NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Allies Speak Up: US, Japan, Canada, And Others Slam China's Water Cannon Attack On Filipino Boats In West PH Sea
Screengrab from PCG
The international community is not staying silent. After another alarming incident in the West Philippine Sea, several key allies of the Philippines have spoken out—loud and clear.
On May 21, two research vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were just doing their usual work near Sandy Cay (also known as Pag-asa Cay 2), collecting marine data to support food security and environmental programs. But what was supposed to be a routine mission quickly turned dangerous.
According to reports, Chinese Coast Guard ships, backed by maritime militia vessels, aggressively blocked the BFAR boats. They didn’t stop there—water cannons were fired, and one vessel was even sideswiped.
This didn’t sit well with the international community.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson didn’t mince words. Calling China’s actions “aggressive” and “reckless,” she stressed that these moves threaten not just lives but also the peace and stability of the region. “We stand with our Philippine allies,” she said in a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the importance of international law and a free Indo-Pacific.
Canada quickly followed suit. In a statement Friday morning, the Canadian Embassy in Manila said it was alarmed by the incident and described China’s behavior as “coercive and intimidating.” They also reminded everyone that the research being conducted was peaceful and legal.
New Zealand chimed in, too, calling China’s actions “troubling” and warning about the real risks of using water cannons and vessel contact at sea. They emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to maritime disputes—especially in line with international law like UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
The European Union and Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts didn’t hold back either. “Freedom of navigation is important to us all,” Geraedts posted on X. “We are concerned about the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against civilian vessels.”
Over in London, the British Ambassador Laure Beaufils described the Chinese Coast Guard’s behavior as a “worrying escalation” and reminded everyone that the 2016 Arbitral Ruling—which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea—must be respected.
Japan also joined the chorus. Ambassador Endo Kazuya said he was “very concerned” and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to upholding international law and defending a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Back home, the National Maritime Council confirmed the attack happened well within Philippine territory, near Pag-asa Island—an area the Philippines has full sovereignty and jurisdiction over. The mission wasn’t just important for science; it was part of the country’s larger goal to protect marine resources and ensure food security for Filipinos.
So what’s next? While the Philippines continues to assert its rights in its own waters, it’s clear that the world is watching—and standing by our side.
Stay tuned, because this is far from over.
On May 21, two research vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were just doing their usual work near Sandy Cay (also known as Pag-asa Cay 2), collecting marine data to support food security and environmental programs. But what was supposed to be a routine mission quickly turned dangerous.
According to reports, Chinese Coast Guard ships, backed by maritime militia vessels, aggressively blocked the BFAR boats. They didn’t stop there—water cannons were fired, and one vessel was even sideswiped.
This didn’t sit well with the international community.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson didn’t mince words. Calling China’s actions “aggressive” and “reckless,” she stressed that these moves threaten not just lives but also the peace and stability of the region. “We stand with our Philippine allies,” she said in a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the importance of international law and a free Indo-Pacific.
Canada quickly followed suit. In a statement Friday morning, the Canadian Embassy in Manila said it was alarmed by the incident and described China’s behavior as “coercive and intimidating.” They also reminded everyone that the research being conducted was peaceful and legal.
New Zealand chimed in, too, calling China’s actions “troubling” and warning about the real risks of using water cannons and vessel contact at sea. They emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to maritime disputes—especially in line with international law like UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
The European Union and Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts didn’t hold back either. “Freedom of navigation is important to us all,” Geraedts posted on X. “We are concerned about the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against civilian vessels.”
Over in London, the British Ambassador Laure Beaufils described the Chinese Coast Guard’s behavior as a “worrying escalation” and reminded everyone that the 2016 Arbitral Ruling—which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea—must be respected.
Japan also joined the chorus. Ambassador Endo Kazuya said he was “very concerned” and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to upholding international law and defending a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Back home, the National Maritime Council confirmed the attack happened well within Philippine territory, near Pag-asa Island—an area the Philippines has full sovereignty and jurisdiction over. The mission wasn’t just important for science; it was part of the country’s larger goal to protect marine resources and ensure food security for Filipinos.
So what’s next? While the Philippines continues to assert its rights in its own waters, it’s clear that the world is watching—and standing by our side.
Stay tuned, because this is far from over.
May 23, 2025
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