MANILA — China Coast Guard vessels again fired water cannons at Philippine government ships on Friday, this time targeting a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship and three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels on a mission to deliver assistance to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG said the July 24 mission was part of the government’s Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) program, which provides fuel subsidies and food packs to Filipino fishermen while maintaining Philippine presence in the area.
The latest confrontation unfolded over three hours as multiple CCG vessels and Chinese maritime militia ships confronted the Philippine vessels.
CCG ATTACKED PCG VESSEL FIRST
The first incident occurred at 6:26 a.m., when CCG vessel 3107 fired its water cannon at BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) while the PCG vessel was patrolling about 15 nautical miles northeast of Bajo de Masinloc.
According to the PCG, their vessel was shadowed by at least six CCG ships, along with Chinese maritime militia vessels.
BFAR SHIPS ALSO HIT
About an hour later, at 7:35 a.m., the confrontation escalated when CCG vessel 21581 trained its water cannon on BRP Datu Paduhinog (MMOV 3017), one of the BFAR vessels participating in the mission.
According to PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, the Chinese ship got as close as seven meters to the Philippine vessel’s port bow, posing a risk of collision.
Authorities also accused the Chinese vessel of deliberately switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), preventing other ships from electronically identifying and tracking it.
At 7:53 a.m., CCG 21581 landed a direct water cannon hit on BRP Datu Paduhinog before firing two more blasts at around 8 a.m.
The BFAR vessel also experienced a temporary loss of satellite internet connectivity while sailing in the area, with communications restored at 8:36 a.m.
Meanwhile, at around 8:09 a.m., the PCG monitored a Chinese maritime militia vessel towing a rope roughly 100 meters behind the BFAR’s BRP Datu Sumakwel (MMOV 3019), creating a navigational hazard.
At around 8:55 a.m., another CCG ship, with bow number 3303, fired its water cannon at the BFAR’s BRP Datu Cabaylo (MMOV 3001).
PHILIPPINE MISSION CONTINUES
Despite China's continued aggressive actions, the PCG said all Philippine personnel remained safe and continued to carry out the mission.
According to Tarriela, the PCG monitored 12 CCG vessels and three Chinese maritime militia vessels in the vicinity, compared to three PCG vessels and seven BFAR vessels participating in the Philippine operation.
Philippine authorities stressed that Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal is an integral part of Philippine territory.
“Its [Bajo de Masinloc’s] surrounding waters form part of the country's territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. The 2016 Arbitral Award has affirmed that Bajo de Masinloc is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fisherfolk, whose rights cannot be lawfully impeded by any foreign power,” the PCG said in a statement.
The agency said it remained committed to protecting Filipino fishermen and safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea while carrying out operations in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
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