Chinese vessels harass Filipino boats near Pag-asa Island with water cannons anew

Filipino vessels protecting fisherfolk in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island once again experienced intimidation and deliberate water cannoning by Chinese vessels and maritime militia on Sunday morning.

In a statement posted on his official X (Twitter) account, Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on the West Philippine Sea, said three vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, faced dangerous and provocative maneuvers from the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.

He said the BFAR vessels were safely anchored in the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island to protect Filipino fishermen as part of the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” program.

“Around 8:15 a.m., the Chinese maritime forces approached dangerously close, activating their water cannons as a clear threat against the BFAR vessels,” Tarriela said.

“Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions, the PCG and BFAR remain resolute. We will not be intimidated or driven away, as our presence in the Kalayaan Island Group is crucial for protecting the rights and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen,” Tarriela added.

On the other hand, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan echoed Tarriela’s statement, stating, “The harassment we faced today only strengthens our resolve. Filipino fisherfolk depend on these waters, and neither water cannons nor ramming will deter us from fulfilling our commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos to not surrender a square inch of our territory to any foreign power.”

With this, Tarriela said the PCG and BFAR reaffirmed their strong commitment to protecting Filipino fishermen in the Kalayaan Island Group, vowing to remain undeterred despite aggressive harassment and direct threats from Chinese vessels in the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea and that China’s “nine-dash line” claim was invalid—a ruling the Chinese government has continuously defied.