Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan is calling on their counterparts from other countries to stop using water cannons.
According to Gavan, the use of water cannons against fellow coast guards will not help because it will make the situation even worse.
Gavan made the statement during a special session at the Maritime Law Enforcement and Confidence Building at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“There is this proportionality in the use of force vis-à-vis the political message it sends. So, we’re not very comfortable with that so I hope that stops,” Gavan said.
The PCG chief did not directly identify the China Coast Guard which also attended the said meeting.
The coast guard admiral emphasized that the water cannon is only used to save lives and properties from fire.
“Water cannons are not meant to light up fire. They are there to save lives and properties from fire or simply to put out fire; never to hose down the weaker ones to pieces to start the fire,” added Gavan.
Gavan assured that the Philippines will remain professional and calm despite the tension in the West Philippine Sea.
“We just have to go back to the basics of humanity. If we embrace together what is right, we won’t be wrong,” said Admiral Gavan.
China’s water cannon on PCG ships had cost P2 million to P3 million in damages.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strongly condemned the use of water cannons in the West Philippine Sea.