China rams Philippine vessel in disputed waters of South China Sea

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, a Chinese coast guard ship allegedly rammed the Philippine government vessel BRP Datu Pagbuaya while it was anchored near Thitu Island in the South China Sea. The incident began when the Chinese vessel fired its powerful water cannon at the Philippine ship, causing minor structural damage but thankfully, no injuries to the crew. The conflict arose amid ongoing territorial disputes involving China and the Philippines, as well as multiple other Southeast Asian nations, over the contested waters which are critical for maritime trade. The region is often marked by confrontations between vessels from both countries, indicative of the escalating tensions over sovereignty in the South China Sea. Despite the aggressive actions from the Chinese side, the Philippine Coast Guard stated they would not be intimidated and would continue to assert their rights over their territorial waters. In the context of international law, a 2016 arbitration ruling invalidated China’s claims over most of the South China Sea, which has intensified the conflict as China continues to assert its control over the region. The incident draws attention to the complexity of territorial claims in a waterway that sees over 60 percent of global maritime trade. As the Philippines continues to affirm its sovereignty, the situation may develop into a more serious diplomatic confrontation if aggressive actions persist.