BRP Datu Sanday

A Chinese Coast Guard ship reportedly used water cannons and physically sideswiped a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel near Pag-asa Cay 2 in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday.

The National Maritime Council (NMC) suggests reviewing the Philippines' and United States' Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), signed in 1951, to address modern security challenges.

US Coast Guard Deputy Commander Andrew Sugimoto criticized China's enforcement methods as unsafe and unprofessional following a recent incident where a Chinese vessel rammed a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship.

The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea denied Chinese claims that Filipino personnel fell overboard during an incident at Escoda Shoal on Sunday, calling them 'fake news'.

On Sunday, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels harassed and rammed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship BRP Datu Sanday near Escoda Shoal while it was on a humanitarian mission.

Filipino fishing boats in Bajo de Masinloc received increased fuel and water assistance from authorities, reflecting a rise in Filipino fishing activity in the contested area.

The Philippines on Thursday refuted China's claim that its coast guard drove away a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel from Scarborough Shoal.