NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
PH Fisheries Team Harassed By China Coast Guard At Pag-Asa Cays - DA-BFAR Slams 'Hostile' Move
Photo credit: PCG
In another tense moment at sea, the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has strongly condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) for what it called “hostile actions” during a routine scientific mission near the disputed Pag-Asa Cays on Wednesday.
According to BFAR, the incident unfolded around 9:13 AM when one of their research vessels, the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002), was hit twice by water cannon from CCG vessel 21559—and even got sideswiped. The Filipino crew was in the area to collect sand samples for a marine scientific research initiative when the confrontation erupted.
The bureau didn’t mince words in its statement, describing China’s actions as “aggressive interference, dangerous maneuvers, and illegal acts”. The BRP Datu Sanday suffered damage to its port bow and smokestack, but thankfully, the crew was unharmed and still managed to complete their work across Pag-Asa Cays 1, 2, and 3.
This is reportedly the first time the CCG used water cannons on Philippine vessels near Sandy Cay, marking yet another flashpoint in the long-running South China Sea tensions. China continues to claim nearly the entire sea—despite a 2016 international ruling that invalidated those sweeping claims.
When asked about the incident, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said she wasn’t aware of it, but insisted that the Chinese Coast Guard “always enforces the law in accordance with laws and regulations.”
BFAR’s statement reflects growing frustration in Manila over China’s increasingly aggressive moves, especially toward unarmed civilian vessels conducting legitimate research and patrols in areas well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
While diplomatic efforts continue, the sea remains a dangerous place for many Filipinos just doing their jobs.
According to BFAR, the incident unfolded around 9:13 AM when one of their research vessels, the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002), was hit twice by water cannon from CCG vessel 21559—and even got sideswiped. The Filipino crew was in the area to collect sand samples for a marine scientific research initiative when the confrontation erupted.
The bureau didn’t mince words in its statement, describing China’s actions as “aggressive interference, dangerous maneuvers, and illegal acts”. The BRP Datu Sanday suffered damage to its port bow and smokestack, but thankfully, the crew was unharmed and still managed to complete their work across Pag-Asa Cays 1, 2, and 3.
This is reportedly the first time the CCG used water cannons on Philippine vessels near Sandy Cay, marking yet another flashpoint in the long-running South China Sea tensions. China continues to claim nearly the entire sea—despite a 2016 international ruling that invalidated those sweeping claims.
When asked about the incident, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said she wasn’t aware of it, but insisted that the Chinese Coast Guard “always enforces the law in accordance with laws and regulations.”
BFAR’s statement reflects growing frustration in Manila over China’s increasingly aggressive moves, especially toward unarmed civilian vessels conducting legitimate research and patrols in areas well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
While diplomatic efforts continue, the sea remains a dangerous place for many Filipinos just doing their jobs.
May 22, 2025
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