Incident Highlights Tensions at Panatag Shoal
Recent damage to Chinese vessels at Panatag Shoal has sparked intense reactions from Filipino lawmakers. The damage sustained by the Chinese ships after their aggressive maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea has been described by House leaders as a case of “karma.” This four-word keyphrase, “damage to Chinese vessels,” reflects the consequences of China’s assertive actions in the disputed maritime area.
Deputy Speakers Jefferson Khonghun and Paolo Ortega V emphasized that China’s hostile conduct endangers not only Filipinos but also the Chinese themselves. Local leaders noted the collision between a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship and a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel on Monday, which occurred during an attempt to harass the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Suluan. The PCG was escorting a mission aiding 35 Filipino fishing boats in the area.
Lawmakers Call Incident Karma
“What happened on Monday is karma manifesting itself, if the Chinese understand the word. What goes around comes around. Unfortunately for them, they were at the receiving end of their own misdeed,” Khonghun said. This sentiment was echoed by Ortega, who remarked, “The Chinese have become victims of their own aggression.”
He added that the Chinese presence in Scarborough Shoal is unlawful, calling them intruders in what Filipino fishermen know as Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground off the coasts of Zambales and Pangasinan.
Details of the Collision and Maritime Maneuvers
Officials reported that the CCG vessel attempted to use a water cannon on BRP Suluan, but the PCG crew skillfully evaded the attack. BRP Suluan and BRP Teresa Magbanua were escorting the M/V Pamamalakaya, which was assisting Filipino fishermen in the area.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, explained that the collision occurred roughly 10.5 nautical miles east of Panatag Shoal. The CCG 3104, chasing BRP Suluan at high speed, made a risky maneuver near the PCG vessel’s starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA warship No. 164.
“This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel’s forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy,” Tarriela added.
Unusual Search and Rescue Operations
On Tuesday, maritime security experts observed unusual activity near Panatag Shoal. SeaLight Director Ray Powell noted that a CCG ship and eight maritime militia vessels appeared to conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations 15 to 25 nautical miles east of the shoal.
“They basically never act this way, so it seems reasonable to conclude, based on the circumstances, that they’re searching for something [or someone],” Powell said, hinting at the unusual nature of the Chinese maritime response following the collision.
Calls for China to Respect Philippine Sovereignty
Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong urged China to learn from the incident. He stressed that claiming territory belonging to another nation holds no advantage, especially when an international arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has ruled in favor of the Philippines.
“It’s time that Beijing stop its aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea, from Scarborough Shoal in the north off Zambales and Pangasinan to Ayungin Shoal in the south near Palawan, areas that are far away from China,” he said.
Background on West Philippine Sea Disputes
The West Philippine Sea, part of the larger South China Sea, lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China claims many islands here under its controversial nine-dash line. However, in July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration declared that the Philippine waters are sovereign to the Philippines, invalidating China’s historic claims.
In May 2025, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel was involved in another incident when it sideswiped and water-cannoned a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources research ship near Pag-asa Island. This marked the first time a CCG vessel used water cannons against BFAR vessels on a routine scientific mission.
Moreover, in August 2023, the CCG water-cannoned Philippine vessels attempting to deliver supplies to soldiers stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, beached at Ayungin Shoal within Philippine waters.
Official Responses and Ongoing Tensions
China claimed that a former Philippine administration promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, a statement denied by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He asserted he never made such an agreement and that any such deal has been terminated.
The recent “damage to Chinese vessels” incident underscores the ongoing maritime tensions in the West Philippine Sea and highlights the risks posed by aggressive maneuvers in contested waters.
For more news and updates on West Philippine Sea disputes, visit Filipinokami.com.
