The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) once more carried out an unprovoked water cannon attack on a Philippine vessel in an apparent attempt to drive it away from hotly contested waters, authorities in Manila confirmed on Tuesday.
This time, the CCG set its sights on Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships that were navigating the shallow waters of Bajo de Masinloc, internationally called Scarborough Shoal.
It was reported that the agency’s BRP Datu Cabaylo and BRP Datu Sanday were delivering much-needed supplies to Filipino fishermen in mid sea Tuesday morning when the harassment happened.
“The CCG vessels attempted to impede the mission of the BFAR vessels but were unsuccessful. The CCG vessels also opened and directed their water cannons, but this failed to reach the PH civilian boats,” BFAR said in a statement.
The BFAR noted that the undisclosed number of CCG vessels were accompanied by one People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel as it “shadowed” the Philippine ships.
“Notwithstanding the dangerous maneuvers and opening of water cannons, both BFAR vessels were able to resupply the Filipino fisherfolk in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc,” it said, however.
The crews of seven Filipino “mother boats” and 16 small fishing boats were able to receive fresh supplies from the two BFAR vessels, the agency reported.
Bajo de Masinloc, sometimes called Panatag Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
It is considered treacherous waters as it is only 30 to 36 feet deep at certain areas, posing a risk to boats becoming grounded by corals.
Despite the latest “bullying” incident, the Philippine Navy (PN) said Filipino fishermen should not to be deterred by Beijing’s tactics, and instead, they should continue casting their nets in the abundant waters of the WPS.
“Let us continue our fishing activities… we shouldn’t stop. We cannot allow the wrong things being done by the PLA-Navy, coast guard at maritime militia to prevail in our seas,” PN spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in Filipino.
He assured Filipino fisherfolk that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are ready to come to their aid.
Last week, Chinese maritime assets also carried harassment efforts directed at Vietnamese fishermen near the Paracel Islands.
“We strongly condemn the violent and illegal actions of Chinese maritime authorities against Vietnamese fishermen near the Paracel Islands on September 29, 2024. This unjustified assault, which left 10 fishermen injured and damaged their property, is an alarming act with no place in international relations.” National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said in a statement.
Ano also said that such use of force against civilian fishermen blatantly violates international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and breaches basic human decency.
“Fishermen, as vulnerable maritime workers, deserve protection-not harm-at sea,” he added.
As this developed, the PN reported the presence of some 190 Chinese vessels in WPS, many of them were spotted patrolling the waters of Ayungin, Escoda and Panatag Shoals.
“Emphasis is given to these three features as they are very important in protecting our EEZ,” the Philippine Navy said in a statement.
China’s continued illegal presence in the WPS blatantly disregards the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, violates Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights, and highlights the need to modernize the country’s defense and security capabilities, the PN added.
