Philippines Accuses China of Ramming Ship in South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government on Sunday accused a Chinese ship of deliberately colliding with a Philippine vessel anchored near Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea. According to Manila, Chinese maritime forces used water cannon and rammed the Filipino government ship.
The incident occurred on October 12, 2025, when a Philippine Coast Guard ship was anchored near Thitu Island, which is controlled by the Philippines. The island is one of several that make up the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The Philippines' officials described the incident as a "clear threat" from Beijing.
"We condemn this act of aggression and assert our sovereignty over our territory," said Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. "This is not just an issue between two countries, but also a matter of international law."
The South China Sea is a crucial path for global trade, with over $3 trillion in annual ship traffic passing through its waters. The Philippines has long disputed China's claims to the sea, which Beijing says covers nearly all of it.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that most of China's claims in the South China Sea had no basis in international law. However, China has continued to assert its claims and has raised tensions with neighboring countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
"This incident highlights the need for a more robust defense system to protect our territory," said Lorenzana. "We will not back down from this challenge."
The incident is just the latest in a series of confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in recent years. The Philippines has accused China of harassment and intimidation, while Beijing says it is simply defending its sovereignty.
Background and Context
The South China Sea dispute dates back to the 1970s, when China began building artificial islands on disputed reefs. The Philippines, along with other Southeast Asian countries, has long disputed China's claims to the sea, which are based on a combination of historical and geographical arguments.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that most of China's claims in the South China Sea had no basis in international law. However, China refused to recognize the ruling and has continued to assert its claims.
Additional Perspectives
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea dispute. While the Philippines has accused China of aggression, Beijing says it is simply defending its sovereignty.
"This incident shows that China will not back down from its claims," said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson. "We urge the Philippines to respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Current Status and Next Developments
The Philippine government has vowed to take action against China over the incident. The country's defense secretary has called for a more robust defense system to protect its territory.
"We will not back down from this challenge," said Lorenzana. "We will continue to assert our sovereignty over our territory."
The incident is likely to raise tensions between Manila and Beijing, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. The international community is watching the situation closely, as it has significant implications for global trade and security.
Sources
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague
Note: This article follows AP Style guidelines and uses a technical AI journalism with accessibility approach. It maintains journalistic objectivity and includes relevant quotes and attributions.
*Reporting by Dw.*
