The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and military ships used water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) yesterday morning.
Assault on Panatag Shoal According to the National Security Council (NSC), the incident occurred 16 nautical miles south of Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are conducting routine maritime patrols to support Filipino fishermen when they are harassed by Chinese vessels.
According to NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, CCG ships with bow numbers 5303, 3302, and 3104, as well as People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships with bow numbers 500 and 571, showed up. aggressive behavior.
Attack with Water Cannon Malaya revealed that CCG 3302 used the water cannon on BRP Datu Pagbuaya, specifically on its navigational antennas, around 6:30 in the morning. After the first attack, CCG 3302 deliberately rammed the starboard side of BRP Datu Pagbuaya and again used water cannon just a few minutes later.
Government reaction Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the WPS, said China's aggressive behavior threatened the safety of the Filipino crew. According to Tarriela, Bajo de Masinloc is the property of the Philippines based on the 2016 Arbitral Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Continuous Operation Despite the harassment, BFAR and PCG assured that they will continue their maritime operations. BFAR also urged fishermen to continue fishing in Bajo de Masinloc.
According to BFAR Spokesman Nasser Briguera, "There is no reason for our fishermen to stop their operations and also, BFAR will continue to support our fishermen despite the harassment."
Objection to China's Claim Briguera emphasized that the UN ruling confirmed that Bajo de Masinloc is part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, which rejects China's territorial claim.
This incident causes renewed tension between the Philippines and China, as the Philippines continues to fight for its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
