Original Source
Chinese Coast Guard Fires 'Water Cannons' at Philippine Vessel, Raising South China Sea Tensions
South China Sea 'Water Cannon' Clash Damages Philippine Vessel
On August 5, an incident occurred near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea of the South China Sea, where a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel fired powerful water cannons at a Philippine vessel. The Philippine vessel was on a routine resupply mission to the grounded Philippine naval ship, the BRP Sierra Madre. Footage clearly captured the Chinese Coast Guard's use of water cannons, and the attack reportedly damaged the Philippine vessel and injured several crew members. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) strongly condemned China's actions, characterizing them as 'illegal and dangerous maneuvers' and a 'clear attack.'
Philippine President Orders Strong Protest, China Claims 'Self-Defense'
Regarding the incident, Philippine President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. announced that he had instructed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately lodge a formal protest. President Marcos expressed a firm stance, emphasizing that the Philippines will continue to assert and defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. In contrast, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that the Philippine vessel illegally intruded into Chinese sovereign waters, violating China's sovereignty. The spokesperson stated that the Chinese Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its national sovereignty and reiterated the demand for the Philippines to immediately remove the 'illegally grounded warship (BRP Sierra Madre).' The conflicting claims from both sides further escalate tensions in the region.
*Source: YouTube: ABS-CBN News (2026-03-10)*
