Chinese Vessels Harass Philippine Patrols in West Philippine Sea

Manila, Philippines – In the past 24 hours, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels harassed Philippine ships near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, employing aggressive tactics such as blocking and dangerous maneuvers to obstruct routine patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). These actions are considered illegal under international law, violating international law, specifically the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration Hague ruling that invalidated China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Philippine authorities condemned the aggression, providing firsthand accounts of the incidents. The Philippines provided firsthand accounts and condemned the aggression. However, China’s Coast Guard countered, asserting that Philippine vessels intruded into their waters, justifying their response. No independent verification of specific maneuvers, such as ramming or water cannon use, within the last 24 hours is available from provided sources. Nevertheless, the reported actions align with China’s documented gray-zone tactics, including collisions and water cannon incidents in recent months (Philippine Star, 2025).

The ongoing dispute underscores heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea, a resource-rich region critical to regional stability. The Philippines continues to assert its sovereign rights, supported by international law, while China’s actions fuel competing narratives, leaving the situation unresolved and volatile.

References
Philippine Star. (2025, June 23). Philippines condemns China’s actions in West Philippine Sea. Philippine Star. https://t.co/hpJzF2FLYJ