August 12, 2025
SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES – Philippine vessels were again harassed by China during another mission on Monday to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan, together with government-owned fish carrier MV Pamamalakaya, encountered “hazardous” maneuvers and blocking actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) about 19.4 kilometers (10.5 nautical miles) east of Panatag Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc.
“In particular, the MRRV 2206 (BRP Suluan) was targeted with a water cannon, but the seamanship skills of PCG crew members allowed the vessel to successfully evade getting hit,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Tinio on Chinese ships’ collision near Panatag Shoal: ‘Kamotes’ on water
At one point, CCG 3104, which was pursuing the Suluan at high speed, executed a dangerous maneuver from the vessel’s starboard quarter, causing it to collide with PLAN Warship No. 164.
The collision left the CCG ship’s forecastle or its forward part heavily damaged and unseaworthy, according to Tarriela.
More Sino ships
There were also other Chinese ships in the area, such as CCG Vessels 3304 and 3301.
The Northern Luzon Naval Command said it had deployed BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), which prompted the Chinese vessels to “alter their course” after a radio challenge and “continuous monitoring” by the Philippine Navy ships.
The BRP Datu Romapanet of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also took part in the mission to accompany the Filipino fishermen as they ventured back to their traditional fishing grounds at Panatag Shoal.
Medical aid
Tarriela said the Teresa Magbanua safely escorted the fishermen to a secure location after the encounter with the Chinese vessels.
The PCG official said his agency still offered assistance to the Chinese ships, such as medical aid for any injured crew members, despite their pursuit of the Suluan.
The Pamamalakaya, which made its maiden voyage near the shoal in May, was deployed to directly purchase fresh catch from the fishermen under the Kadiwa Para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda program of President Marcos.
Fernando Hicap, chair of fishers’ group Pamalakaya, said the Chinese vessels did not directly target the Filipino fishing boats.
‘Very escalatory’
Still, their sheer number and aggressive presence caused fear among the fishermen, he said.
“Even Chinese ships are colliding with each other due to their large presence in the West Philippine Sea. It is worrying that active maneuvers by ships are taking place while Filipinos are fishing there,” Hicap told the Inquirer.
Maritime security expert Ray Powell, director of Project Sealight (under Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center) which monitors maritime tensions in the South China Sea, said it was “striking that the PLA Navy ship would be so directly involved” in obstructing the operations of Filipino vessels.
Posting on X about the Philippine mission in Panatag, Powell called the actions of the Chinese vessels “very escalatory.”
He said that based on his monitoring, there were “at least” seven CCG vessels and 14 maritime militia ships—with automatic identification systems turned on—within the vicinity of the shoal.
‘We do not back down’
Powell said the “very heavy flotilla of People’s Republic of China vessels” were there to enforce Beijing’s 46- to 55-km (25-30 nautical-mile) exclusion zone around Scarborough.
President Marcos also cited the developments at Panatag in a press conference in Malacañang on Monday.
“We do not back down because we are afraid. I don’t know about other places, but this government does not withdraw from battles. We Filipinos are brave,” he said of the response of Philippine vessels to the Chinese ships.
Chinese vessels continue to occupy the area of Panatag Shoal within the Philippines’ 370-km exclusive economic zone (EEZ), following a standoff with the Philippine Navy in 2012 which led to Manila’s arbitral case the next year against Beijing. This culminated in a 2016 ruling in favor of the Philippines by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
China refuses to recognize that ruling which affirms the Philippines’ maritime rights under its EEZ. —with a report from Dexter Cabalza