De Lima: China further damages its reputation by ramming PH vessel

September 19, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila De Lima strongly condemned the China Coast Guard’s ramming of a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel conducting a humanitarian mission in the West Philippine Sea.

De Lima called it a “despicable act” that further erodes China’s reputation in the international community.

“This further reinforces their image as a bully and oppressor.

Akala ba ng China, sa paulit-ulit na kawalanghiyaan na ito, tumataas ang tingin sa kanila ng mundo?” she said in a statement.

She said that China’s actions only serve to make China look like a loser regarding the dispute over rights in the West Philippine Sea.

China is not doing itself any favor by committing acts of violence, threatening lives, and denying Filipino fisherfolk their livelihood just to lay claim to waters that are not theirs, she said.

Filipinos will not be cowed by China’s actions, she added.

“Kung nasanay man sila sa pagiging sunud-sunuran ng nakaraang administrasyon, tandaan nila: Di pasisiil ang mga Pilipino lalo na sa sariling teritoryo,” she said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has condemned the ramming incident, which damaged the BFAR vessel.

“There is no justification for the CCG vessel to undertake aggressive actions against a Philippine civilian law enforcement vessel, and cause damage to the ship and endanger the safety of the civilian crew,” the DFA said in a statement.