August 11, 2025 — Manila — Vessels from the China Coast Guard (CCG) interfered with the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) Kadiwa operations in Bajo de Masinloc earlier this week, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela reported.
According to Tarriela, the PCG was delivering aid to Filipino fishermen under the Kadiwa program when several Chinese ships aggressively blocked the path of Philippine vessels. In the midst of the confrontation, two CCG ships reportedly collided while attempting to obstruct the PCG’s mission.
The tension escalated when water cannons were fired at PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships, including BRP Bagacay and BRP Bankaw, causing visible damage to parts of the vessels.
“These damages are clear proof of the intense water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in harassing our ships,” Tarriela stated.
The PCG confirmed that four CCG vessels and six Chinese maritime militia boats were involved in the incident. The Philippine side condemned the harassment, stressing that the mission aimed solely to support local fishermen’s livelihood.
The encounter highlights the continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea and underscores the need for stronger measures to safeguard the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its own territory.
