PCG: China Coast Guard used water cannon vs. PH vessels going to BRP Sierra Madre

The China Coast Guard (CCG) water cannoned Philippine vessels on a regular rotation and resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre on Sunday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

The Philippine vessel M/L Kalayaan suffered from serious engine damage as a result, it added.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said on X that M/L Kalayaan, along with BRP Cabra and Unaizah Mae (UM) 1, were conducting a regular rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea when CCG made the attack.

Tarriela said UM1 was also rammed by a CCG vessel.

Statement of the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea
December 10, 2023, Manila, Philippines

Today, 10 December 2023, China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian supply vessels,… pic.twitter.com/NF66BqVPUM

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) December 10, 2023

"Regular RORE to BRP SIERRA MADRE this morning. BRP CABRA, Unaizah Mae 1, and M/L Kalayaan water cannoned by China Coast Guard. M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel," Tarriela wrote in a post on X.

The BRP Sierra Madre is a World War II ship grounded at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999, standing as a symbol of the Philippines’ claim to the West Philippine Sea.

The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned the “reckless and dangerous harassment at close range” of Chinese vessels once again against Philippine vessels.

The NTF-WPS said UM1 was able to successfully reach BRP Sierra Madre to proceed with the resupply.

M/L Kalayaan, meanwhile, was towed back to Ulugan Bay, Palawan by the PCG vessel BRP Sindangan.

Following this latest use of a water cannon against Philippine vessels, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to send Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian back to China.

"[The Chinese Ambassador] has done nothing to address the continued attacks of his government on our troops and on our people,” the Zubiri said in a statement. 

“This was a humanitarian mission, and still China chose to attack them. THEY HAVE NO HEART. They have gone from unlawfully blocking us from navigating our own waters to now deliberately damaging our vessels and endangering the lives of our people,” the senator added.

The ambassadors of the United States and European Union on Sunday expressed concern over Sunday's incident.

"The [US flag] stands with the Philippines and partners in vehemently condemning the PRC’s repeated illegal and dangerous actions against [Philippine flag] vessels, including disrupting the [Philippine flag] resupply mission to the Sierra Madre today," US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in a post on X.

"PRC aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific," she added.

"Another deeply troubling incident today, water cannons used again. UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanisms maintain the rule of law. The 2016 UNCLOS Tribunal Award is a valuable framework for peaceful resolution. Water cannons and dangerous sea maneuvers aren't a legitimate alternative," EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron said in a post on X.

Last month, the Philippines said a CCG vessel also water cannoned M/L Kalayaan “in an illegal though unsuccessful attempt to force the latter to alter course” while it was carrying provisions to Filipino troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre.

The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest over that incident.

Scarborough Shoal

On Saturday, the CCG also fired a water cannon at the vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) headed to Scarborough Shoal to distribute oil and other supplies to fisherfolk in the area.

Prior to the encounter, the CCG issued warnings to the Philippine vessels, telling them to depart the area, claiming that Scarborough Shoal is Chinese territory.

The Philippine vessels, however, ignored the warnings, insisting on the country's rights over its exclusive economic zone. —KG, GMA Integrated News