Manila, Oct. 13 -- A think tank on Monday condemned the latest act of aggression by Chinese maritime forces against a Philippine ship going about its lawful business near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, Stratbase Institute said it "strongly condemns these brazen acts of aggression by China," referring to the firing of water cannon at Philippine ship BRP Datu Pagbuaya before deliberately ramming it.

BRP Datu Pagbuaya, operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), was anchored at the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island to protect Filipino fishermen in the area when the incident happened on Oct. 12.

"This behavior should not and cannot be normalized or tolerated," Stratbase said, addin...