BFAR hits China over latest water cannon attack in West Philippine Sea

May 22, 2025 , 09:39 PM

(May 22, 2025) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Thursday condemned China for what it called “aggressive interference” after the China Coast Guard (CCG) fired water cannons and sideswiped a Philippine research vessel near Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea.

BFAR said the incident happened on Wednesday morning while two of its civilian vessels — the BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya — were on a routine mission to collect sand samples near Pag-asa Cay 2. The team onboard included Filipino scientists conducting marine research.

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

At around 9:13 a.m., BFAR said CCG vessel 21559 fired water cannons and twice sideswiped BRP Datu Sanday, damaging its port bow and smokestack. It added the maneuver endangered the lives of the civilian scientists onboard, the agency added.

Despite what BFAR described as “aggressive interference, dangerous maneuvers, and illegal acts” by the Chinese coast guard, the Philippine team was able to finish its scientific work in Pag-asa Cays 1, 2, and 3.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) did not hesitate to condemn the incident.

“We are criticizing and condemning these actions by the CCG, considering that it is a civilian, although it is a government operation, but it is civilian-led operation within the territorial sea of Pag-asa (Island),” says PCG spokesperson Cdre. Jay Tarriela.

Last month, international news agency Agence France-Presse reported that a Chinese vessel went to Sandy Cay to assert its claimed “sovereignty and jurisdiction,” inspect the area, and gather what it called video evidence of the Philippines’ “illegal activities.”

Malacañang, however, maintained that Sandy Cay remains under Philippine control, dismissing China’s claims.

Sandy Cay is part of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, a region within the larger South China Sea — one of the world’s busiest trade routes, where about $3.3 trillion in global trade passes every year.

“DA-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,” added BFAR.

(With reports from Gio Robles, News5)

(JREC)

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