The China Coast Guard (CCG) once again resorted to hostile maneuvers in trying to chase away Philippine vessels from Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea, dousing a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship with water cannons before ramming it deliberately.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) spokesperson on WPS issues, said the first of two water cannon attacks by the Chinese vessel, identified as CCG 3302, targeted the Philippine ship’s navigational antennas as it sailed 16 nautical miles south of the contested shoal.
The BFAR and PCG were jointly patrolling the area on Wednesday morning when they encountered the CCG vessels, he said.
PCG vessels on the scene, including the BRP Teresa Magbanua, also faced blocking, shadowing, and dangerous maneuvers from PLA Navy vessel 500 and CCG 503, the official also disclosed.
Additionally, BRP Cabra was subjected to “reckless maneuvers” by another Chinese vessel, identified as CCG 3104, at a distance of 300 yards, Tarriela noted.
“At around 6:30 AM, CCG 3302 fired a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003), aiming directly at the vessel’s navigational antennas while it was located 16 nautical miles south of Bajo de Masinloc,” the PCG and BFAR said in a joint statement.
“Following this hostile action, CCG 3302 intentionally sideswiped the BRP Datu Pagbuaya on its starboard side. Shortly thereafter, at 6:55 AM, CCG 3302 launched a second water cannon attack on the same vessel,” the two agencies further stated.
A video clip provided by the PCG showed at least one Chinese vessel using its water cannon on the BFAR vessel.
The PCG and BFAR stated that Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, is located well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
They reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the rights and safety of Filipino fishermen within the country’s maritime jurisdiction.
“We will continue to be vigilant in safeguarding our national interests in the WPS,” they assured.
However, the CCG presented a different narrative, saying it warned Manila to immediately halt its infringements, provocations and inflammatory actions “after a Philippine vessel intentionally rammed into a CCG ship in waters around China’s Huangyan Dao.”
“Otherwise, the Philippines will be held accountable for all consequences arising from this,” CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said on the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson reaffirmed her country’s support to the Philippines as she rejected Beijing’s latest provocation.
“The PRC’s [People’s Republic of China] unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers disrupted a Philippine maritime operation on December 4, putting lives at risk. We condemn these actions and stand with our like-minded #FriendsPartnersAllies in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” she wrote on X.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “PCG, BFAR vessels harassed by Chinese ships during patrol.”
