Chinese vessels blasted Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships with water cannons near Panatag Shoal, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The incident occurred during maritime operations supporting Filipino fisherfolk, involving up to 10 Philippine vessels facing 15 Chinese ships.
Water Cannon Attacks at Panatag Shoal
China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels targeted multiple Philippine ships near Panatag Shoal, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The Philippine vessels were supporting the Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda program by providing fuel subsidies and other assistance to fisherfolk in the area.
A China Coast Guard vessel with bow number 3107 initially blasted its water cannon at the BRP Cape San Agustin at 6:26 a.m. during a maritime patrol. PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela stated that six CCG vessels and Chinese maritime militia vessels had shadowed the Cape San Agustin prior to the attack.
At 7:35 a.m., another CCG vessel directed its water cannon at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship BRP Datu Paduhinog during a shoal patrol. According to Tarriela, the Chinese vessel came within approximately seven meters of the Datu Paduhinog’s port bow, risking a collision. Tarriela noted that the CCG vessel had deliberately switched off its Automatic Identification System to conceal its identity in violation of international regulations on safety of navigation. After 18 minutes, the Datu Paduhinog took a direct hit from CCG vessel 21581’s water cannon, followed by two more direct attacks around 8 a.m.
The PCG reported that another water cannon was fired at the BRP Datu Cabaylo from approximately 300 meters away. Additionally, monitors observed Chinese maritime militia vessel 00318 pulling a rope about 100 meters at the rear of the BRP Datu Sumakwel, creating a navigation hazard. Up to 10 Philippine ships ultimately stood against 15 CCG and maritime militia vessels. Despite what the PCG termed illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions by China, Philippine vessels maintained their presence to continue operations. Tarriela strongly condemned the dangerous and unprofessional actions of the China Coast Guard.
US Response and Mutual Defense Treaty Commitments
United States officials addressed regional tensions following a separate July 20 baton attack at Ayungin Shoal where China Coast Guard crew struck and wounded a Philippine Navy personnel stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that a US Coast Guard vessel was in the region during that incident and helped injured personnel.
According to Rubio, a US Coast Guard vessel stood between the two sides to allow an injured individual to be rescued and brought back for medical treatment. Rubio told media that the United States is already present in the region, holds a role, and will not abandon its allies. He affirmed that the US will live by the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines and remains committed to supporting its treaty partners. The US previously condemned China’s dangerous and aggressive actions at Ayungin Shoal, calling Beijing’s pattern of provocation troubling.
ASEAN and China Code of Conduct Negotiations
Amid maritime incidents, diplomatic talks are ongoing regarding a regional code of conduct. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro stated on Thursday that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China are making significant progress toward concluding a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea by the end of the year.
Speaking at a press conference following the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings, Lazaro said the 11 ASEAN member-states and China have demonstrated political will to complete the agreement within the year. Negotiations have accelerated with monthly meetings since January. Key areas of progress include a growing consensus on the principle of self-restraint as part of the agreement’s terms of reference. Discussions continue on the code’s geographical scope, legal nature, and its relationship with the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Lazaro emphasized that the proposed code remains anchored on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, respects third-party rights, and seeks to establish behavioral rules at sea to prevent conflicting territorial claims from erupting into violent confrontations.
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