This body seize from handout video footage taken and launched on October 12, 2025 by the Philippine Coast Guard reveals a China Coast Guard ship (R) deploying water cannon as seen from a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel throughout an incident close to Thitu island in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Manila’s coast guard accused a Chinese ship of intentionally ramming a Philippine authorities vessel anchored close to an island within the South China Sea on October 12, as China says the Philippines is “totally accountable” for the collision. (Photo by Handout by way of AFP Photo/Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
The Philippines accused Chinese maritime forces of utilizing water cannon and ramming a Filipino vessel, calling the actions a “clear threat” that escalates tensions in contested South China Sea waters. Meanwhile, China’s coast guard stated two Philippine authorities vessels illegally entered waters within the South China Sea on Sunday, resulting in a collision.
The Philippines Coast Guard stated three Filipino vessels, together with the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, have been anchored close to Thitu Island, domestically often called Pag-asa Island, early on Sunday (October 12) as a part of a authorities programme to guard native fishermen when Chinese ships reportedly approached and used water cannon to intimidate them.
An hour later, a China coast guard ship allegedly fired its water cannon straight on the BRP Datu Pagbuaya earlier than ramming its stern, inflicting minor injury however no accidents, the PCG stated.
Manila’s coast guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vowed to proceed their operations within the space, saying their presence is important to safeguarding the livelihood of Filipino fishermen.
However, as per Chinese Coast Guard, one Philippine authorities vessel “dangerously approached the Chinese Coast Guard vessel” close to Sandy Cay, inflicting the collision for which the Philippine facet bears full accountability.
The space, a part of the Spratly Islands in a disputed a part of the South China Sea, the place Manila and Beijing have had repeated confrontations through the years.
Tensions between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea have been rising by the 12 months, notably over the Scarborough Shoal, a main fishing floor.
China claims practically all the South China Sea, a significant waterway for greater than $3 trillion in annual ship-borne commerce, components of that are additionally claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Published – October 12, 2025 11:19 am IST
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