MANILA, Philippines – The United States Embassy called China Coast Guard’s (CCG) latest action against a Philippine civilian vessel near Pag-Asa (Sandy) Cay “aggressive” and said that such actions “endangered lives” and “threaten regional stability.”
In a statement posted on her X account, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson expressed support for the Philippines after the incident.
“We stand with our Philippine allies in support of international law and a free and open Indo Pacific,” Carlson stated.
The China Coast Guard’s aggressive actions against a lawful 🇵🇭 civilian mission near Sandy Cay recklessly endangered lives and threaten regional stability. We stand with our 🇵🇭 allies in support of international law and a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.
— Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson (@USAmbPH) May 22, 2025
The European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines also expressed concern about the “dangerous actions” against Philippine civilian scientific vessels in the South China Sea.
“The European Union stands with the Philippines and reiterates the importance of upholding UNCLOS and the rules-based international order, including the 2016 South China Sea arbitration,” EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro posted on X.
Very concerned about the latest dangerous actions against Philippine civilian scientific vessels in the South China Sea. 🇪🇺 stands with 🇵🇭 and reiterates the importance of upholding UNCLOS and the rules-based international order, including the 2016 South China Sea arbitration.
— EU Ambassador to the PH 🇪🇺🇵🇭 (@EUAmbPH) May 22, 2025
The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) confirmed that two of its vessels, BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) and BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003), were on a routine mission with a Filipino scientific team to collect sand samples as part of a marine scientific research initiative on Wednesday, when a CCG vessel (21559) “water cannoned” and “sideswiped” BRP Datu Sanday twice.
The Philippine vessel sustained damage to its port bow and smokestack, and putting the lives of its civilian personnel onboard at risk, the statement read.
Despite what DA-BFAR called “aggressive interference, dangerous maneuvers, and illegal acts” by the CCG and maritime militia vessels, the Philippines scientific team was able to complete its operations in Pag-Asa Cays 1, 2 and 3.
DA-BFAR reiterated that the incident occurred “within the territorial sea of the Philippines” in the area o Pag-Asa Island and Pag-Asa Cay 2, both which, along with the other cays, form part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.
“DA-BFAR remains committed to scientific integrity, sustainable fisheries management, and the protection of national interests in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international and domestic law,” the statement read.
