China’s Illegal Moves!

Tensions Escalate in West Philippine Sea as Chinese Vessels Swarm Rozul Reef

Manila, Philippines — In the past 25 hours, the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has witnessed heightened tensions as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported an alarming presence of over 50 Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels swarming Rozul (Iroquois) Reef, a maritime feature within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This incident, reported on June 19, 2025, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.

According to PCG spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Chinese vessels were observed asserting Beijing’s claims over unoccupied maritime areas since June 17. The PCG responded swiftly, deploying two vessels and an aircraft to challenge the CMM’s presence via radio, notifying them of their operation within the Philippine EEZ. However, the Chinese ships remained unresponsive, further intensifying concerns over their intentions (Maharlika NuMedia, 2025; @PhilippineStar, 2025).

On Friday morning, June 20, a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel escalated the situation by firing a water cannon and executing dangerous maneuvers against a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. This aggressive action disrupted Philippine efforts to install floating aggregate devices (FADs), or “payao,” aimed at boosting fish catch for local fishermen. The PCG and BFAR have been actively installing these devices in areas like Hasa Hasa and Kanduli Shoals to support Filipino fishers amid ongoing Chinese interference (@inquirerdotnet, 2025; GMA News Online, 2025).

A maritime domain awareness flight conducted by the PCG on Friday further revealed the presence of 25 CMM vessels, two CCG ships, and two Chinese research vessels near Pag-asa Island, underscoring the scale of China’s maritime activities in the region (@biancadava, 2025). The PCG noted a suspected Chinese drone monitoring their operations, raising concerns about surveillance and potential environmental damage, as seen in previous incidents involving grounded Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island (TVPatrol, 2025; Palawan News, 2025).

These developments follow a pattern of assertive actions by China, which claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ EEZ. The Philippines, supported by international law and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, continues to assert its sovereign rights. The recent incidents come on the heels of joint naval drills with Japan on June 15, under the Reciprocal Access Agreement, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and countering China’s growing presence (GMA News Online, 2025).

The Philippine government remains steadfast in its commitment to defending its maritime entitlements. Tarriela emphasized the vigilance of Filipino fishermen in protecting installed FADs, which have remained intact despite Chinese interference. However, the increasing frequency of such confrontations raises questions about the potential for further escalation and the need for diplomatic solutions to ensure stability in the region.

As tensions persist, the international community watches closely, with the Philippines calling for adherence to international law to safeguard its rights and protect its fishermen’s livelihoods in the West Philippine Sea.

References
GMA News Online. (2025, June 18). ‘Dangerous maneuvers’ performed by CCG while PH installs more floating devices in WPS. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com
Maharlika NuMedia. (2025, June 20). 50 Chinese vessels swarm Rozul Reef in PH waters — PCG. Retrieved from https://maharlika.tv
Palawan News. (2025, June 7). Stranded China-flagged vessel near Kalayaan has been towed away. Retrieved from https://palawan-news.com
@biancadava. (2025, June 20). WATCH: The Philippine Coast Guard conducted a maritime domain awareness flight in the West Philippine Sea on Friday. Retrieved from https://t.co/75YLFc77Zn
@inquirerdotnet. (2025, June 20). WATCH: A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon and made dangerous maneuvers against a BFAR ship at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. Retrieved from https://t.co/bs2TEBCDwf
@PhilippineStar. (2025, June 19). More than 50 Chinese maritime militia vessels were seen “illegally swarming” Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea. Retrieved from https://t.co/8KmTRQYwg2
@TVPatrol. (2025, June 19). Nakita sa West Philippine Sea ang isang drone na pinaghihinalaang galing sa Chinese Coast Guard. Retrieved from https://t.co/mcN4rrFNvy