Philippine Vessel Rammed and Water-Cannoned by Chinese Coast Guard
Tensions Rise in Disputed South China SeaWaters
A recent incident in the South China Sea has reignited tensions between the Philippines and China. On December 4th, the Philippine Coast Guard accused Chinese Coast Guard vessels of using water cannons and intentionally ramming one of its ships conducting routine patrols near Scarborough Reef.
The incident, captured on video released by the Manila National Task Force for the South China Sea, shows a Chinese coast guard vessel maneuvering dangerously close to a Philippine boat belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the South China Sea, stated that the Chinese vessel "used a water cannon on the BRP Datu Pagbuya, directly targeting its navigation antennas" before "intentionally hitting" the Philippine vessel and unleashing a second barrage of water.
China countered these accusations, insisting that its coast guard ships were simply "exercising control in accordance with the law." Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun claimed that on December 4th, several Philippine vessels, including coast guard ships, "attempted to enter Chinese territorial waters around Huangyan Island," using the Chinese name for Scarborough Reef. He added, “The Philippine ships then came dangerously close to regular Chinese Coast Guard patrols."
According to a statement released by the Chinese Coast Guard, "The Philippine vessel turned at a wide angle and reversed, deliberately colliding with a Chinese vessel." The statement further accused Manila of "subsequently deliberately distorting the truth and making accusations bogus" with the aim of "deceiving" international understanding of the facts.
The incident comes amidst heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial claims in the resource-rich South China Sea.
China claims almost all of the islets in the South China Sea, defying a 2016 ruling by an international arbitration court that deemed Beijing’s expansive claims to be without legal basis.
The Scarborough Reef, which is rich in fishing resources and strategically located, has been a long-standing point of contention between the two nations. China seized control of the reef in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippines.
Just days before the December 4th incident, the Chinese military announced the dispatch of a "patrol" close to Scarborough Reef to "firmly defend" China’s sovereignty, highlighting the escalating tensions in the region.
This latest clash underscores the complex and volatile nature of the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which continues to be a major flashpoint in the region.
What is the strategic importance of Scarborough Shoal in the context of the South China Sea dispute?
## Interview with Dr. Maria Sanchez, South China Sea Expert
**Interviewer:** Dr. Sanchez, thank you for joining us today. Tensions are flaring again in the South China Sea following a recent incident involving the Philippine and Chinese Coast Guards. Can you tell our viewers what happened?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Certainly. On December 4th, a Philippine vessel, the BRP *Datu Pagbuya*, was conducting routine patrols near Scarborough Shoal, an area contested by both the Philippines and China. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, Chinese Coast Guard vessels used water cannons and rammed the Philippine boat, causing damage to its navigation systems.
**Interviewer:** This sounds like a dangerous escalation. Do we have any video footage of the incident?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Yes, the Manila National Task Force for the South China Sea released video showing the Chinese vessel maneuvering dangerously close to the Philippine boat and firing water cannons. The Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson, Commodore Jay Tarriela, described the incident as a deliberate attack.
**Interviewer:** What has China’s response been to these accusations?
**Dr. Sanchez:** China has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that its coast guard ships were simply “exercising control in accordance with the law.” This incident clearly highlights the ongoing tension and territorial dispute surrounding Scarborough Shoal, a strategically important reef in the South China Sea [[1](https://www.ibtimes.com/scarborough-shoal-strategic-reef-center-china-philippine-tensions-3713908)].
**Interviewer:** What are the potential implications of this incident for the region?
**Dr. Sanchez:** This incident is deeply concerning. It risks further escalating tensions between the Philippines and China, two major powers in the region. The lack of a clear resolution to the territorial dispute increases the risk of future confrontations, potentially drawing in other regional players.
**Interviewer:** What steps can be taken to de-escalate the situation and prevent future incidents?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Open dialog and diplomatic engagement are crucial. Both sides need to commit to upholding international law and finding peaceful solutions through negotiations.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Sanchez, thank you for offering your valuable insights.
**Dr. Sanchez:** It’s my pleasure.
