This frame grab from handout video footage taken and released on October 12, 2025 by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a China Coast Guard ship (R) deploying water cannon as seen from a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel during an incident near Thitu island in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Manila’s coast guard accused a Chinese ship of deliberately ramming a Philippine government vessel anchored near an island in the South China Sea on October 12, as China says the Philippines is “fully responsible” for the collision. (Photo by Handout via AFP Photo/Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
The Philippines and China blamed each other after a Chinese maritime forces and a Filipino vessel rammed into each other near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island on Sunday (October 12, 2025)
The Philippines accused Chinese maritime forces of using water cannon and ramming a Filipino vessel, calling the actions a “clear threat” that escalates tensions in contested South China Sea waters. Meanwhile, China’s coast guard said two Philippine government vessels illegally entered waters in the South China Sea on Sunday, leading to a collision.
The Philippines Coast Guard said three Filipino vessels, including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, were anchored near Thitu Island, locally known as Pag-asa Island, early on Sunday (October 12) as part of a government programme to protect local fishermen when Chinese ships reportedly approached and used water cannon to intimidate them.
An hour later, a China coast guard ship allegedly fired its water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya before ramming its stern, causing minor damage but no injuries, the PCG said.
Manila’s coast guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vowed to continue their operations in the area, saying their presence is essential to safeguarding the livelihood of Filipino fishermen.
However, as per Chinese Coast Guard, one Philippine government vessel “dangerously approached the Chinese Coast Guard vessel” near Sandy Cay, causing the collision for which the Philippine side bears full responsibility.
The area, part of the Spratly Islands in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have had repeated confrontations over the years.
Tensions between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea have been rising through the year, particularly over the Scarborough Shoal, a prime fishing ground.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital waterway for more than $3 trillion in annual ship-borne trade, parts of which are also claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Published – October 12, 2025 11:19 am IST
