A VESSEL belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was damaged and some of its crew injured after a water cannon attack by China Coast Guard (CCG) ships near the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commo. Jay Tarriela said BRP Datu Gumbay Piang (MMOV 3014) was delivering fuel and supplies to fishermen when the attack happened on Tuesday.
At 9:14 a.m., Tarriela said the CCG vessel with hull No. 5201 fired a water cannon at the ship’s starboard side about 14 nautical miles east of the shoal.
He added that another CCG ship with hull No. 21562 attacked the vessel’s port side about 17 nautical miles east of the shoal.
The water cannon attack lasted for about 29 minutes, damaging the bridge windows, cabin partitions, electrical systems and air-conditioning units of the ship. Glass fragments also hurt a BFAR staff.
Two similar incidents occurred nearby, Tarriela said.
A Chinese maritime militia vessel identified as CMM 00001 harassed another BFAR ship, but the ship managed to evade further damage, according to a statement.
Earlier in the day, a People’s Liberation Army Navy warship with bow No. 525 broadcast a notice of live-fire exercise sowing fear among Filipino fishermen in the area, added Tarriela.
In a statement published by Chinese state media Global Times, CCG spokesman Gan Yu accused the Philippine government of organizing “over 10 government ships” that “illegally intruded into the territorial waters” of China from multiple directions.
Despite the incident, the PCG and BFAR vowed to continue supporting fishing communities in the area under the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” initiative.
The incident happened shortly after China announced its plan of building a nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc, a territory located 200 nautical miles within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
The Philippine government filed a protest strongly denouncing this move by China.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said that China’s justification of its plan to build a nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc is part of a strategic deceptive messaging.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, AFP spokesman for the West Philippine Sea RAdm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the entire armed forces remain unwavering in protecting the integrity of the country’s national territory.
There will be no pause in the conduct of maritime patrols and air surveillance flights, Trinidad said, because “Bajo de Masinloc will remain ours.”
On Friday, the Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) lodged a “strong, unequivocal” protest against China over its plan to establish a nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc.
China’s State Council approved the establishment of the “Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc.
In response, the DFA responded that the Philippines “reserves exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones.”
It also urged Beijing to immediately withdraw its State Council issuance in the territory.
As to the government’s capacity to assure that no artificial structures will be constructed in the area, Trinidad said the AFP conducts relentless maritime patrols and air surveillance flights not only on Bajo de Masinloc but over all features in the WPS.
Trinidad added that the Philippines has the backing of the international community, with countries signing defense agreements with the government to ensure the prevalence of international law in the WPS.
