Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels accused each other of aggressive maneuvers Tuesday near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed territory in the South China Sea.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its ships were delivering supplies to more than 35 fishing boats on Tuesday when two Chinese vessels struck the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang with water cannons.
CCG Employs Water Cannons Against BRP Datu Gumbay Piang
This morning, the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang (MMOV 3014), operated by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), was targeted by two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels while engaged in… pic.twitter.com/bzVieZEoha
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) September 16, 2025
“This aggressive action lasted for about 29 minutes, resulting in significant damage including shattered glass from the aft window of the bridge, damage to the captain’s cabin partitions, and a short circuit affecting electrical outlets and five outdoor air conditioning units,” said PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela.
Tarriela said one personnel sustained injuries due to the shattered glass caused by the water cannon.
🚨 BREAKING: Chinese Coast Guard ships fire water cannons at a Philippine vessel near Huangyan Island, South China Sea — a tense standoff unfolds in the disputed area. pic.twitter.com/zVHavFQVLn
— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) September 16, 2025
The China Coast Guard (CCG) blamed the Philippines for the incident, claiming that more than 10 Philippine vessels “illegally invaded” its waters and that one ship rammed its vessel, prompting Beijing’s forces to take “control measures.”
According to Gan Yu, a spokesperson for CCG, the response involved verbal warnings, route restrictions, and the use of water cannons.
On 16 September 2025, Philippines BRP Datu Gumbay Piang patrol boat was washed by water cannon from Chinese Coast Guard boat. Philippines officers raised white flag signaled SURRENDER to Chinese side. #BRPDatuGumbayPianghttps://t.co/MtbqLSjGda pic.twitter.com/0X1btGrK1V
— Choongwah (@wahco008) September 16, 2025
The incident came less than a week after Beijing declared the Scarborough Shoal a national nature reserve, a move Manila and its allies condemned as an attempt to tighten control.
Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but has been under Chinese control since a 2012 standoff.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Chinese action “yet another coercive move to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors.” The U.K. and Australia also condemned China’s recent actions.
