Manila, Philippines – In a tense flash‑point in the South China Sea, Philippine officials say a Chinese coastguard ship deliberately fired a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a Philippine fisheries vessel, and later rammed it near Thitu Island. The incident was reported on Sunday at 01:15 GMT.
The Philippine Coast Guard says the Chinese ship’s water cannon struck the Datu Pagbuaya, damaging the vessel but not injuring its crew. Minutes later, the same Chinese vessel is said to have collided with the Philippine ship’s stern, causing only minor structural damage. No injuries were reported.
Thitu Island – called Pag‑asa Island by the Philippines – sits in the Spratly Islands, a cluster of reefs and islets that both Manila and Beijing claim sovereignty over. The island is the largest of nine Philippine‑occupied features in the Spratly chain and hosts a small fishing community.
“We will not give up a single inch of our territory,” said Philippine Coast Guard Chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan. “This incident only strengthens our resolve.”
China rejected the Philippines’ claims, blaming Manila for the collision. Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Liu Dejun said the incident happened after the Philippine vessel ignored repeated stern warning signals and approached too closely. “Full responsibility lies with the Philippine side,” Liu said in an online statement.
While the incident unfolded, Philippine, U.S., and Canadian warships were conducting Exercise SAMASAMA (“Together”) 2025, a complex naval drill designed to improve interoperability and show a united stance in regional waters. The exercise highlighted strengthened defense cooperation amid ongoing South China Sea tensions.
Source: aninews
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