By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently challenging the Filipino patience, the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships on Saturday, December 9, water cannoned and subjected three Philippine vessels off Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the three vessels — BRP Datu Sanday, BRP Datu Bankaw and BRP Datu Tamblot — belonged to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that were on a mission to provide oil subsidies and grocery packs to over 30 Filipino fishing vessels in the area.
In reaction, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson saying the Chinese ships’ behavior “violates international law and endangers lives and livelihood.”
To recall, in October, US President Joe Biden warned that the US will defend the Philippines in case of any attack.
Based on reports, the “harassment” started at about 9 a.m. Saturday as the BFAR ships approached Bajo de Masinloc, which was about 1.4 to 1.9 nautical miles away.
It was gathered that the CCG ships began utilizing water cannons in an effort to “obstruct and prevent” the Philippine vessels from approaching the Filipino fishing boats.
However, China maintained that its coast guard had lawfully taken control measures against three BFAR vessels “intruding” into waters near Scarborough Shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island.
An international tribunal had earlier invalidated China’s claim to 90% of the South China Sea in 2016, but Beijing does not recognize the ruling and has been building islands in the disputed waters in recent years.
(AI/MNM)
