MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is set to file a diplomatic protest against China’s latest “illegal and hostile actions” against a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) undergoing a “lawful and routine humanitarian mission” near Bajo de Masinloc (BDM).
In a message to reporters, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Angelica Escalona confirmed the “protest to be given tomorrow” (Wednesday, 18 September 2025).
This is after the National Maritime Council (NMC), to which the Secretary of the DFA is a member, condemned the actions of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels against a BFAR vessel carrying out the Kadiwa Para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) program on the morning of 16 September 2025, Tuesday.
According to the NMC statement, the BFAR vessel was delivering vital fuel, food, and water supplies to Filipino fisherfolk, when it was subjected to “dangerous maneuvers and sustained water cannon attacks" by two CCG vessels and one CMM vessel.
“These illegal and hostile actions by the Chinese vessels caused structural and electrical damage to BRP Datu Gumbay Piang and injury to one of the Filipino crew members,” the statement said.
Despite the damage, the NMC mentioned that the crew of the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang was able to successfully maneuver the vessel to safety and continued its humanitarian mission.
On the same morning, a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship 525 announced a “live-fire exercise” in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc.
According to the NMC, this caused “alarm” and “fear” among the Filipino fisherfolk engaged in their usual fishing activities in the area.
“The provocative and dangerous actions of China’s vessels in the West Philippine Sea, which placed lives and vessels at risk, clearly violate the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and relevant international maritime safety regulations,” NMC stressed.
The Philippines calls on China to cease its illegal, provocative and dangerous activities in the West Philippine Sea, and instead help create an environment that is conducive to diplomacy, dialogue and constructive approaches for the two countries’ bilateral relationship, the NMC said.
Foreign embassies expressed condemnation on China’s actions
Meanwhile, foreign embassies and envoys expressed condemnation on China’s “aggressive actions” and called for respect for international law.
“The United States condemns China’s aggressive actions in the Philippines EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) near Scarborough Reef. We commend the Philippine government and Philippine Coast Guard for professionally exercising Philippine sovereign rights, protecting Filipino fisherfolk, and upholding maritime law for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson posted on X.
Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown called for “restraint and respect” for international law after the incident.
“Seriously concerned by reports of dangerous actions by China’s Coast Guard towards Philippines’ vessels at Scarborough Shoal, resulting in injury and damage. We call for restraint and respect for international law. Disputes must be settled peacefully,” Brown posted on X.
Seriously concerned by reports of dangerous actions by China’s Coast Guard towards Philippines’ vessels at Scarborough Shoal, resulting in injury and damage. We call for restraint and respect for international law. Disputes must be settled peacefully. https://t.co/cGEoON8rlh
— Marc Innes-Brown (@AusAmbPH) September 17, 2025
In his post on X, Ambassador Massimo Santoro of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines also underscored the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and that the 2016 Arbitral Award must be respected.
“We express strong concern over the recent incident in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone near Scarborough Reef. We stress that international law with UNCLOS at its core and the 2016 Arbitral Award must be respected,” Santoro said.
We express strong concern over the recent incident in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone near Scarborough Reef. We stress that international law with UNCLOS at its core and the 2016 Arbitral Award must be respected.
— EU Ambassador to the PH 🇪🇺🇵🇭 (@EUAmbPH) September 17, 2025
