China Coast Guard rams PH vessel after water cannon near Pagasa

A China Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon and then struck the stern of a Philippine fisheries ship off Thitu Island, known in the Philippines as Pagasa Island, on Sunday morning, Philippine authorities said, causing minor damage but no injuries. The Philippine Coast Guard said the episode occurred at about 9:15 a.m. local time when China Coast Guard vessel 21559 directed a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, one of three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships anchored near the island to assist local fishermen. Three minutes later the Chinese vessel rammed the Pagbuaya, the coast guard said.

Philippine officials said the incident followed an earlier series of dangerous maneuvers at about 8:15 a.m., when several China Coast Guard and vessels described by Manila as Chinese maritime militia approached the anchored Filipino ships and activated water cannons. Video released by the Philippine coast guard shows a China Coast Guard ship firing a water cannon that struck the fisheries vessel and its two Philippine flags, and the Filipino ship moving away from the Chinese vessel.

The Philippines’ coast guard and fisheries bureau said their vessels were part of a...