Camille Naredo

The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Fisherfolk on small bancas join volunteers from the Atin Ito Coalition and members of the media as they prepare to depart from Matalbis Port in Masinloc, Zambales, for the second civilian resupply mission to the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

WEST PH SEA

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175069381417820240515-atin-ito-wps-MT-34.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Japan on Monday expressed concern over the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent actions against vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.</p><p>Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya stressed that Tokyo opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion.</p><p>“We oppose any unilateral change… as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea. We are concerned about the repeated harassment and actions involving the use of water cannons. We would like to stress the importance of respecting the UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] and the 2016 arbitral award,” Endo told reporters in an interview during the reception for the 71st Anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) aboard the JS Ise in Manila.</p><p>On June 20, Friday, CCG vessel with bow number 4203 used a water cannon on BRP Datu Taradapit, while CCG vessel with bow number 3105 targeted BRP Datu Tamblot.</p><p>The Chinese ships also tailed and nearly collided with BRP Datu Daya and BRP Daty Bangkaya.</p><p>The BFAR vessels were delivering support to traditional fishing communities near Bajo de Masinloc, which is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).</p><p>Despite the aggressive actions by the CCG, the Philippine vessels did not incur any damage. No one was also hurt in the incident.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/21/china-coast-guard-use-water-cannons-block-bfar-ships-near-bajo-de-masinloc-1001">READ: China Coast Guard uses water cannons, blocks BFAR ships near Bajo de Masinloc</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘SCS ISSUE A LEGITIMATE CONCERN OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY’</strong></div><p>Endo noted that the South China Sea (SCS) issue is directly related to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, and is a legitimate concern of the international community.</p><p>The ambassador added that Japan stands in solidarity with the Philippines in advancing the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.</p><p>“The Philippines is an important strategic partner of Japan for peace and stability in the region, as it is a maritime nation and a neighbor that shares sea lanes with Japan and faces similar strategic challenges at sea,” Endo said.</p><p>He went on, “We recognize that the principles of freedom of navigation, adherence to international law, and respect for sovereignty are essential to the continued prosperity and security of our peoples.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MARITIME COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES</strong></div><p>In pursuit of this shared vision, Japan has participated in eight maritime cooperative activities (MCAs) conducted in the Philippines’ EEZ to date.</p><p>“A few days ago, in Japan, Coast Guard agencies from Japan, the Philippines and the United States conducted a trilateral exercise. Japan will continue to cooperate with the international community, including the Philippines and the United States, in order to uphold a free and open international order based on the rule of law.” Endo said.</p><p>He also emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law, while steadily strengthening maritime security capabilities in the region.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/14/philippines-japan-conduct-joint-maritime-drills-in-west-ph-sea-1728">READ: Philippines, Japan conduct joint maritime drills in West PH Sea</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RECIPROCAL ACCESS AGREEMENT</strong></div><p>Endo highlighted the potential for further strengthening bilateral security and defense cooperation through the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Manila and Tokyo.</p><p>Earlier this month, Japan’s Diet <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/6/japan-s-national-diet-ratifies-defense-agreement-with-ph-1604">approved the historic defense pact</a>. The RAA would serve as the legal basis for both countries’ troops to enter each other’s territory for joint military exercises.</p><p>“The RAA is a legal framework that contributes to taking national security and defense cooperation to a higher level. It will also facilitate joint training and other cooperative activities between units of both countries and enhance interoperability,” Endo said.</p><p>He then continued, “As the specific plans for our cooperation will need to be discussed after the ratification of RAA, I would like to refrain from giving details at this stage, but in any way, Japan hopes to further strengthen security and defense cooperation between Japan and the Philippines through training and other activities between the two countries&#x27; forces.”</p><p>The RAA was signed on July 8, 2024 following negotiations on shared security interests, freedom of navigation and humanitarian cooperation.</p><p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ratified the agreement on November 5, and was approved by the Philippine Senate on December 16.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/23/sara-duterte-acknowledges-arbitral-win-vs-china-says-ph-must-be-friend-to-all-1243">READ: Sara Duterte acknowledges arbitral win vs China, says PH must be &#x27;friend to all&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>ACQUISITION AND CROSS-SERVICING AGREEMENT</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Endo said discussions regarding the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between the two nations are underway.</p><p>“Based on the successful visit of Prime Minister Ishiba to the Philippines in April, we have already commenced negotiations on the Japan-Philippines acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, as well as discussions on the possibility of concluding a future agreement on the security of information,” the ambassador explained.</p><p>“It is true that under the strong leadership of President Marcos, the relationship between the two countries, which sees increasing cooperation, are now in the golden stage and I myself would like to continue to make my humble efforts to further strengthen the ties between our two countries in general terms,” he added.</p><p>“Having said that, I would like to refrain from prejudging the prospects of our negotiations of the two important frameworks as well as other concrete action plans down ahead,” he further said.</p><p>The ACSA is an agreement on the provision of supplies and services between the two countries’ defense forces, while GSOMIA is an agreement on exchanging highly confidential military information.</p><p>Endo also assured that Japan remains committed to supporting the continued modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the transfer of defense equipment and the utilization of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xDblH-7WPIM?&amp;pp=0gcJCdAJAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Japan on Monday expressed concern over the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent actions against vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.</p>

Japan on Monday expressed concern over the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent actions against vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

Japan condemns China Coast Guard’s water cannon attack on PH vessels

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Japan condemns China Coast Guard’s water cannon attack on PH vessels

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 24, 2025 12:00 AM PHT

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Japan

Philippines

JS Ise

China Coast Guard

water cannon attacks

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