By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently believing in their narrative that they own most parts of the South China Sea, China on Tuesday (30 April 2024) fired water cannons at two Philippine vessels and damaged one of them during a patrol in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela disclosed that four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and 6 maritime militia vessels had carried out the “dangerous maneuvers and obstruction” during a mission to resupply Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Tarriela claimed that about 12 nautical miles from Bajo De Masinloc, the Chinese Coast Guard blasted water cannons at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Bankaw.
Two Chinese ships also used water cannons on both sides of the PCG’s BRP Bagacay at about 100 yards from the shoal, “resulting in damage to the railing and canopy” of the Philippine vessel, the PCG official further bared.
“This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels,” the PCG said in statement.
“Despite the harassment and provocative actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, both the PCG and BFAR vessels stood their ground and continued their maritime patrol. They were not deterred and will persist in carrying out their legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety,” Tarriela quipped.
(el Amigo/MNM)
