THE incident off Palawan on Sept. 18, 2026, is not new to us. The China Coast Guard vessel struck Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Datu Magat Salamat while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was conducting a fuel-subsidy mission for Filipino fishermen approximately 54 nautical miles from Palawan. The collision reportedly damaged the starboard railings, supports and deck fixtures of BRP Datu Magat Salamat.
China has for some time been ramming, sideswiping, performing collisions, and doing dangerous maneuvering against Philippine vessels inside our own exclusive economic zone and in the main traditional fishing grounds of our fishermen.
Notably, in June 2019 a Chinese fishing vessel struck and sank a Philippine fishing boat, then abandoned its 22 crew at sea. In April 2024, NTF-WPS reported the BFAR vessel BRP Bankaw was rammed three times by China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime-militia vessels during a humanitarian mission. In December 2024, China Coast Guard vessel 3302 intentionally sideswiped a BFAR vessel after water-cannon attacks, and in October 2025, PCG reported CCG 21559 water-cannoned and rammed the BFAR vessel’s stern, causing minor damage. These are some of the illegal, coercive and aggressive activities of China in the West Philippine Sea.
The incident is reprehensible and what is more infuriating is that some people who are blaming and questioning the humanitarian mission of our own vessel are Filipinos. Are they really our own people or would they prefer to have the citizenship of a foreign country?
BFAR is the agency in charge of ensuring the safety of and supporting our fishermen and nobody should question it when it wants to sail in our own EEZ.
The question is not about BFAR’s vessel, but it’s about what the China Coast Guard vessel is doing in our EEZ.
It is disheartening that in the face of China’s hostile activities in our backyard we still allow some people to make up stories that show our adversary in a good light instead of showing who is really provoking trouble in illegal and unjust ways.
These are challenging times when we should unite as Filipinos in defending our seas, our rights and our future, just as our ancestors fought for our nation and freedom through many incursions and occupations of the past. Shame on this generation that seems unwilling and unable to protect what is ours. We should use our voice to tell the truth of these happenings: Let us not give our adversaries, foreign or domestic, any chance to divide real patriotic Filipinos.
Mariz Lagmay
marizlagmay50@gmail.com
