PH vessels hit anew by China water cannons
The China Coast Guard (CCG) fired water cannons at vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Friday, the third day that the CCG harassed Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea this week alone.
The latest assault follows an incident of water cannon firing and dangerous maneuvers on Thursday in the same area off Zambales province and the confrontation on Monday between Philippine Navy and CCG teams at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal which left two Filipino servicemen injured.
The PCG said the Philippine vessels in the Friday incident were delivering fuel and provisions to Filipino fishermen while maintaining government presence in the area.
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According to the PCG, CCG vessel no. 3107 fired its water cannon at BRP Cape San Agustin at 6:26 a.m., while latter vessel was conducting patrols 27.78 kilometers northeast of Panatag, a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen which locals refer as Bajo de Masinloc.
Collision risk
Before the incident, the vessel had been shadowed by at least six CCG ships and Chinese maritime militia craft.
About an hour later, CCG vessel no. 21581 repeatedly used its water cannon on BFAR vessel BRP Datu Paduhinog which was then on its way to conduct a routine monitoring about 22 km northeast of the shoal.
The Chinese vessel also came within 7 meters of the Philippine ship, “a maneuver that placed Filipino personnel at serious risk of collision,” according to the PCG.
The Chinese vessel switched off its automatic identification system, concealing its identity in violation of international navigation safety regulations, it noted.
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The PCG said the Datu Paduhinog was directly hit by water cannon blast three times and temporarily lost satellite internet connectivity.
In a separate incident, the PCG said a Chinese maritime militia vessel dragged a rope about 100 meters behind BRP Datu Sumakwel, posing a safety hazard.
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CCG vessel no. 3303 later fired its water cannon at BFAR vessel BRP Datu Cabaylo from about 300 meters astern.
Despite the incidents, all Philippine personnel onboard were safe and the assaulted vessels remained in the area to complete their mission, the PCG said.
Patrols to continue
As of 9:30 a.m., the PCG monitored 26 vessels around Panatag, including three from the PCG and seven from BFAR, along with 12 CCG ships and three Chinese maritime militia vessels.
The PCG again condemned the CCG’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive” actions.
Panatag Shoal lies about 357 km off Palauig, Zambales, well within the 370-kilometer Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ). But China has maintained effective control of the shoal since a 2012 standoff with the Philippine Navy.
Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including waters within the Philippine EEZ in the West Philippine Sea. It continues to reject the landmark 2016 arbitral award, which invalidated its sweeping maritime claims and affirmed Philippine sovereign rights in its EEZ.
The PCG said it would continue its lawful maritime operations to protect Filipino fishermen and uphold the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea while adhering to international law.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Friday said Philippine vessels would remain on station and continue their mission near Panatag despite the latest incidents.
‘Control measures’
“The [NTF-WPS] strongly condemns the unlawful and dangerous actions of the China Coast Guard this morning against Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels lawfully carrying out a government mission near Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag) in support of Filipino fisherfolk,” the task force said in a statement.
The CCG on Friday said it “lawfully imposed control measures on multiple Philippine vessels engaged in illegal activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction near Huangyan Island (Panatag Shoal).”
The week opened with a clash at the disputed Ayungin that saw the Philippine government accuse Chinese sailors of clubbing a Filipino sailor over the head with a baton, necessitating a medical evacuation.
The incident, which Beijing said was instigated by Philippine personnel, sparked a round of condemnation from Manila’s allies.
Both China and the Philippines said this week they were working toward completing a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea by the end of the year. —WITH A REPORT FROM AFP
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