MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on Friday launched a series of water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels near Bajo de Masinloc (BDM), PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela.
The incident marked the second consecutive day of CCG water cannon attacks on Philippine vessels, after CCG vessel 3302 targeted a BFAR vessel delivering fuel subsidies to Filipino fishermen near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Thursday.
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At around 6:26 a.m. on July 24, CCG vessel 3107 fired a water cannon at BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) from a distance of about 400 meters while it was conducting a maritime patrol about 15 nautical miles northeast of BDM, Tarriela said in a social media post.
The local vessels were delivering fuel subsidies and supplies to Filipino fishermen near BDM when the incident occurred.
Before that, BRP Cape San Agustin had been shadowed “by no fewer than six CCG vessels, alongside Chinese Maritime Militia vessels operating in the area,” Tarriela said.
At around 7:35 a.m., another CCG vessel 21581 began directing water cannon fire at another local vessel, BRP Datu Paduhinog (MMOV 3017), while it was en route to conduct its regular monitoring, control, and surveillance mission about 12 nautical miles northeast of the shoal.
“CCG 21581 recklessly closed to a distance of approximately seven meters off the port bow of BRP Datu Paduhinog — a maneuver that placed Filipino personnel at serious risk of collision,” Tarriela said.
“It is worth noting that the CCG vessel had deliberately switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), concealing its identity in violation of international regulations on safety of navigation,” he also said.
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At around 7:53 a.m., or 18 minutes later, the same CCG vessel scored a direct water cannon hit on BRP Datu Paduhinog, followed by two more direct hits at around 8 a.m., Tarriela said.
The vessel temporarily lost its satellite internet connectivity while transiting about 10 nautical miles northeast of BDM, although the connection was restored at 8:36 a.m.
Furthermore, Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00318 was observed pulling a rope about 100 meters astern of BRP Datu Sumakwel (MMOV 3019) at around 8:09 a.m., posing a hazard to the vessel’s safe navigation.
At approximately 8:55 a.m., another CCG vessel 3303 fired its water cannon at BRP Datu Cabaylo (MMOV 3001) from approximately 300 meters dead astern.
“Despite these illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive (ICAD) actions, all PCG and BFAR personnel are safe, and the vessels sustained their presence in the area in continued support of Filipino fisherfolk exercising their legitimate rights in their traditional fishing ground,” Tarriela said.
As of 9:30 a.m., the PCG monitored 26 vessels in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, including three PCG vessels, seven BFAR vessels, 12 CCG vessels, and three Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.
“The PCG strongly condemns the dangerous and unprofessional actions of the China Coast Guard. Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine territory, and its surrounding waters form part of the country’s territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. The 2016 Arbitral Award has affirmed that BDM is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fisherfolk, whose rights cannot be lawfully impeded by any foreign power. /das
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