(UPDATE) A CHINA Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired a water cannon and "sideswiped" a Philippine vessel during a maritime patrol near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.
Video released by the PCG showed a Chinese coast guard ship firing a torrent of water at the BFAR vessel BRP Datu Pagbuaya.
Other footage apparently taken from the Philippine ship showed its crew shouting "Collision! Collision!" as the much larger Chinese vessel approached its right-hand side before crashing into it.
The water cannon was aimed "directly at the vessel's navigational antennas," the PCG and BFAR said in a joint statement.
The Chinese vessel "intentionally sideswiped" the ship before launching a second water cannon attack, the statement said.
China's coast guard said in an initial statement that Philippine ships "came dangerously close" and that its crew's actions had been "in accordance with the law."
But in a later statement, it accused Manila of making "bogus accusations in an attempt to mislead international understanding."
It said the Philippine ship had "turned at a great angle and reversed, deliberately colliding" with the Chinese ship.
Video released by Manila said to be drone footage of the collision does not show the Philippine ship reversing.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries — including the Philippines — and an international ruling that Beijing's assertion has no legal basis.
Vessels from the two sides have clashed frequently in the past year, resulting in injuries and damages.
Unlawful aggression
In a media briefing, Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said the PCG and BFAR vessels are legitimately patrolling Philippine waters, "while it is China that is encroaching upon them and militarizing the area by deploying PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy vessels to shadow PCG operations."
"The dangerous maneuvers and water cannon harassment by the CCG are not standard law enforcement actions; rather, [they] should be interpreted as unlawful aggression by international law violators," Tarriela said.
The PCG and BFAR said they were conducting a routine maritime patrol aimed at supporting Filipino fishermen in the contested waters when the confrontations unfolded. At about 6:30 a.m., the CCG vessel 3302 launched water cannon attacks on the BRP Datu Pagbuaya.
The assault targeted the ship's navigational antennas while it was positioned 16 nautical miles south of Bajo de Masinloc. Moments later, CCG 3302 sideswiped the BRP Datu Pagbuaya's starboard side and launched a second water cannon assault at 6:55 a.m.
Other Filipino vessels were also subjected to aggressive maneuvers. The PCG's BRP Teresa Magbanua faced blocking and shadowing maneuvers by PLAN vessel 500 and CCG 503, the PCG said. The BRP Cabra encountered dangerously close approaches from CCG 3104, at one point coming within 300 yards, the officials added.
Despite the provocations, the PCG and BFAR reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the rights and safety of Filipino fishermen in the area.
"These actions highlight the persistent challenges we face in defending our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, but we will not waver in our responsibility," the PCG said in a statement issued following the incidents of harassment.
Growing tensions
Scarborough Shoal — a triangular chain of reefs and rocks — has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.
Since then, Beijing has deployed patrol boats that Manila says harass Philippine vessels and prevent Filipino fishermen from accessing a fish-rich lagoon there.
The shoal lies 240 kilometers west of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan.
Tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea escalated last month when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed two laws defining the country's sea waters and imposing fixed lanes for foreign ships, prompting China to summon the Philippine ambassador.
Ties frayed further when the Philippines and the United States signed a security deal allowing both sides to share classified information.
In a separate incident, Beijing said Monday it had taken "control measures" against Philippine ships it accused of "illegally gathering" near Iroquois Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.
On that occasion, Beijing warned Manila to "immediately stop its infringements and provocations."
Manila said a Chinese navy helicopter had "harassed" Philippine fishing vessels in the area and shared video footage that purported to show the aircraft hovering low over a Philippine boat.
The PCG said it had deployed two vessels in the area "to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen exercising their right to fish freely" there.
Defending the country's interest
In the wake of the most recent incident, President Marcos called on government troops to continue defending the Philippines' interests in the West Philippine Sea as tensions continue to arise in the disputed waters.
In his speech during the oathtaking of the 36 newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the President acknowledged the military's crucial role in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and responding to rescue and aiding victims of calamities.
"In the wake of Severe Tropical Storms Kristine, Nika, Super Typhoons Leon and Pepito, your swift and coordinated efforts saved many, many lives. These actions remind us that the AFP is a force of compassion," Marcos said.
"However, we continue to face complex and dynamic challenges — threats to our sovereignty, lawless elements that undermine peace, and the increasing frequency of natural disasters. These require us to remain steadfast, resourceful, unyielding in our resolve," he added.
As stewards of the country's national defense, Marcos said the AFP bore "the solemn responsibility of ensuring the security of our land, of our seas, of our skies, our cyberspace."
"In defending our waters, we must uphold international maritime laws, deepening our commitment to regional peace and cooperation. By fostering coordination amongst nations, we can safeguard stability while advancing our collective interests," Marcos said.
"Diplomacy rooted in strong legal foundations is our most effective instrument in navigating these endeavors," he added.
Meanwhile, Sen. JV Ejercito said the CCG's bullying of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea has "no place in a civilized and rules-based international order."
"This brazen attack is a blatant violation of international law and an affront to Philippine sovereignty," the senator said in a statement on Wednesday.
"I strongly condemn the latest act of aggression by the China Coast Guard, which fired water cannons at our government vessel, BRP Datu Pagbuaya, during its routine patrol near Bajo de Masinloc," Ejercito said.
He said the CCG "time and again... have shown disregard for our rights in the West Philippine Sea, trampling on the safety and livelihoods of our fishermen and the dignity of our nation."
Ejercito reiterated his appeal not to delay the AFP modernization program. "Our armed forces must be equipped to defend our waters and assert our sovereignty without hesitation," he said.
"I strongly believe that securing even a minimum credible defense posture is crucial to safeguarding our interests and ensuring these abuses do not persist," he said.
"We will not be cowed by a bully. With our resolve, combined with reason and the principles of international law, we will prevail," Ejercito added.