By Junex Doronio
MANILA — “Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil,” so goes a line of the Philippine national anthem and this could have moved the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in summoning Zhou Zhiyong, the number two official at the Chinese embassy, to protest a water cannon incident that caused P2 million to P3 million damage to one of two Philippine vessels during a patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
The DFA said Zhou Zhiyong, the number two official at the Chinese embassy, was summoned over “the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous maneuvers, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions of China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.”
It was learned that the diplomatic protest on Thursday (2 May 2024) was the 20th lodged by Manila this year, and the 153rd since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was elected president.
Meanwhile, Commodore Arnaldo Lim, the acting commander of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Manila at Central Luzon Districts, told reporters that the LED panel took a direct hit during the incident and was completely damaged.
He said the canopy and the railings on the ship’s bridge were also destroyed.
Some navigational equipment, like a satellite compass, has also been damaged.
(el Amigo/MNM)
