Philippines Denounces Chinese Coast Guard Aggression Near Disputed Reefs

The Philippines issued a forceful condemnation of actions taken by the Chinese Coast Guard during a confrontation near the disputed Sandy Cay (also known as Pag asa Cay 2), raising alarm over escalating maritime tensions in the South China Sea.

Incident Overview

• On May 21, 2025, two Philippine research vessels such as the Datu Sanday undertook a marine science mission near Sandy Cay, located between the Philippines held Thitu Island and China’s Subi Reef base. While collecting sand samples, a China Coast Guard ship allegedly fired a powerful water cannon and sideswiped one of the Filipino boats, damaging its hull and smokestack, and posing danger to the civilian crew aboard. (AP News)
• Philippine agencies branded the incident as “aggressive interference” and declared it occurred squarely within Philippine territorial waters.(Globedge).

Manila’s Response

• The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other Philippine officials strongly condemned the water cannoning and ramming attempt, stating these were unlawful and reckless acts that endangered civilian lives. (AP News, Reuters)
• The Foreign Ministry affirmed that China has no right to obstruct legitimate Philippine maritime scientific and fisheries operations, reaffirming sovereignty based on the 2016 UN tribunal ruling invalidating China’s broad claims. (Reuters)

China’s Position

• Chinese Coast Guard claimed the Philippine vessels entered unauthorized waters around Subi Reef and Sandy Cay, continued to land personnel after repeated warnings, and caused a collision by ignoring China’s broadcasts. It denied use of water cannon, asserting its personnel acted lawfully. (Reuters)

International Reactions

• The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, criticized China’s actions as reckless, potentially destabilizing, and harmful to regional stability, reaffirming support for Philippine sovereignty and international law. (AP News)
• Manila’s insistence on publicizing such incidents reflects its “transparency initiative”, launched in early 2023, aimed at countering China’s gray zone tactics by capturing and sharing encounters with Chinese vessels. (Wikipedia)

Strategic Implications

1. Escalation of Tensions:
   • China’s continued use of coercive tactics like water cannon and ramming reflects increased assertiveness near Philippine held features.
2. Sandy Cay’s Significance:
   • The sandbar sits within proximity to Thitu Island, Philippines’ largest Spratly outpost. China’s symbolic moves such as flag-planting and patrols are seen by Manila as steps toward incremental territorial control. (Indo Pacific Defense FORUM)
3. Gray Zone Warfare:
   • China’s use of coast guard and maritime militias instead of naval warships allows denial and ambiguity while exerting pressure. The Philippines counters with public documentation and international advocacy. (Wikipedia)
4. Legal & Environmental Disputes:
   • Manila invokes the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision that invalidates China’s “Nine Dash Line.”
   • China has accused Philippines vessels of damaging reefs; Manila counters this narrative, citing recent documented coral harm by Chinese militia anchors at Pag‑asa Reef. (Al Jazeera, Wikipedia)

Summary Table

In conclusion, the Philippines’ vigorous condemnation of Chinese coast guard actions near Sandy Cay highlights the escalating stakes in contested maritime zones. Manila’s strategic transparency and legal grounding reflect its effort to counter China’s coercive behavior and rally regional and global support. As tensions persist, the incident underscores the deep vulnerabilities of smaller claimants facing aggressive posturing by a more powerful neighbor.