By Junex Doronio

MANILA —  The Phippine Coast Guard ( PCG) has revealed the latest harassment being experienced when a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel deliberately rammed BRP Teresa Magbanua multiple times at Escoda Shoal.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the ramming incident occurred Saturday (31 August 2024) afternoon. No one was reported hurt.

“This afternoon, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel deliberately rammed and collided with the BRP Teresa Magbanua three times, despite no provocation from the Philippine Coast Guard,” Tarriela said.

The PCG official shared video footage of the ramming incidents.

Tarriela also shared a photo showing several Chinese coast guard and Chinese “maritime militia” vessels surrounding the Philippine law enforcement ship.

“This ramming happened despite unprovoked action and presence in Escoda Shoal… There’s a damage on the bridge swing and also on the sea board of the vessel  9701,” Tarriela said in a press conference.

Located just over 75 nautical miles from Palawan, Escoda Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson denounced the latest ramming incidents.

“The U.S. condemns the multiple dangerous violations of international law by the PRC, including today’s intentional ramming of the BRP Teresa Magbanua while it was conducting lawful operations within the PH EEZ. We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law,” Carlson said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA – Despite ongoing efforts by the Philippines to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels reportedly rammed and fired water cannons at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship on Sunday (25 Aug 2024) afternoon at Escoda Shoal, a contested area within the broader South China Sea.

This incident occurred despite an international ruling invalidating China’s claims based on its nine-dash line.

Initial reports indicated that the BFAR ship, BRP Datu Sanday, had sailed to Escoda Shoal to deliver fuel and supplies to fishermen operating near the area.

At least five CCG vessels began shadowing the BFAR ship as early as 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

Reports suggest that some journalists were on board the BRP Datu Sanday when the ramming occurred. However, no immediate reports of damage or injuries have been confirmed.

Earlier on Sunday, prior to the incident, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its presence in the West Philippine Sea.

Lt. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff, stated that the Philippines would continue to assert its rights amid China’s ongoing acts of aggression.

(ia/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Even before the June 15 enforcement of its threat to arrest and detain “trespassers,” the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) already began its harassment as its boats chased the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and marine scientists from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) during a science mission at Escoda Shoal last Tuesday (4 June 2024).

Believing in its self-imposed imaginary nine-dash line narrative but not recognized internationally, the CCG barked at the PCG to leave, saying: “This is China Sea, China Sea!”

“Nag-deploy sila ng apat na China Coast Guard vessel, nag-deploy din sila ng dalawang chopper nila and even the hovercraft,” said PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela on Friday (7 June 2024).

“Para sa akin this is the action of China to intimidate marine scientists para pigilan nila ang pag-survey dito sa Escoda Shoal… They don’t have the proper authority to conduct such amphibious operations within our own exclusive economic zone na hindi naman nila pinapaalam sa Department of Foreign Affairs,” Tarriela pointed out.

It was learned that early in the morning of June 4, rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) from the BRP Teresa Magbanua set out carrying PCG personnel, media members, and marine scientists to assess the coral health at Escoda Shoal.

This science mission came on the heels of reports of crushed corals allegedly being dumped by China believed to be planning to build an artificial island.

A CCG boat repeatedly collided with the PCG vessel as they attempted to interfere with the scientists’ research.

The scientists continued diving and collecting coral samples a Chinese helicopter flew overhead and two hovercrafts appeared.

The following day, a CCG speedboat chased the PCG boats but eventually retreated.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Following the December 10 incident when a Chinese Coast Guard ship used water cannons on a Philippine navy-operated supply boat, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III on Wednesday (December 13), discussed China’s alleged latest aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

According to a readout provided by the Pentagon, Austin III has reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) extends to both nations’ coast guards “and anywhere in the Pacific,” including the South China Sea, where the smaller WPS is located.

The MDT is an agreement between the US and the Philippines to support each other in case of an armed attack.

Earlier, Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Chinese Coast Guard “water cannoned” two of its resupply vessels – Unaizah Mae 1 and M/L Kalayaan – in the South China Sea on Sunday morning, December 10.

Teodoro and Austin III also “discussed the coercive and unlawful actions” by China, including the “unprovoked use of acoustic devices, water cannons, and reckless maneuvers at Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal,” the Pentagon said.

Austin assured that the US’s commitment to the Philippines “remains ironclad.” He reiterated Washington’s support for Manila “in defending its sovereign rights” under international law.

At the same time, the defense secretaries of the Philippines and the US agreed to boost bilateral and multilateral coordination with other like-minded partners to enhance interoperability as well as to fast-track the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

(ai/mnm)