Chinese Coast Guard vessels fired water cannons at four Philippine boats near Scarborough Shoal on June 20, damaging one vessel during a routine resupply mission. The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the incident and filed a diplomatic protest, accusing China of hostile actions inside the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under international law.

The Chinese ships blocked the Philippine vessels, then used water cannons to drive them away. Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, said the Chinese side “deliberately put lives in danger and disrupted lawful operations in Philippine waters.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs denounced the incident as a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea. Scarborough Shoal lies well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ.

Beijing claimed the Philippine vessels had “illegally intruded” into what it considers Chinese waters. In an official statement, China’s coast guard said it took “necessary enforcement measures,” including tracking, blocking, and firing water cannons, to drive them away.

Philippines expands maritime patrols with allies

Earlier this month, the Philippine Navy deployed the new BRP Miguel Malvar in a bilateral exercise with the U.S. Navy near Zambales and Palawan. The drill focused on fire support, anti-submarine operations, and maritime security, under the Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S.

Japan also ratified its Reciprocal Access Agreement with the Philippines in early June, enabling both countries to conduct joint training and operations across their territories.

China’s Southern Theater Command launched sea-air patrols in the South China Sea on June 15. It warned the Philippines against “provoking trouble” and said foreign involvement in regional drills could raise the risk of conflict.

Despite China’s warnings, Philippine officials stood firm. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the government would continue patrols and resupply missions “without backing down,” stressing that Philippine forces operate within legally recognized maritime zones.

ASEAN leaders continue to push for a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, though talks remain stalled.

The Marcos administration has vowed to pursue diplomacy but warned that it will not yield territory or abandon its citizens at sea.
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