NTF-WPS condemns China's ramming, water cannon attack vs. PH vessels

The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Sunday condemned the “reckless and dangerous harassment at close range” of Chinese vessels once again against Philippine civilian supply vessels conducting a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.

The NTF-WPS said the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels “harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers” against Philippine vessels on Sunday morning while they were on a routine resupply and rotation mission to the ship stationed at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

“CCG vessel 5204 deployed a water cannon against the Philippine supply vessels causing severe damage to M/L Kalayaan’s engines, disabling the vessel and seriously endangering the lives of its crew,” the task force said in a statement.

“Additionally, BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) suffered damage to its mast after being directly targeted by the full strength of the water cannon of the China Coast Guard,” it added.

It also pointed out that Unaizah Mae 1 (UM1) was rammed by CCG 21556, but the boat was able to successfully reach BRP Sierra Madre to proceed with the resupply.

M/L Kalayaan, meanwhile, is currently being towed back to Ulugan Bay, Palawan by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407).

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

The NTF-WPS denounced China’s latest attack, admitting that it has put into question and “significant doubt” the sincerity of China’s calls for peaceful dialogue.

“We condemn, once again, China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal that has put the lives of our people at risk,” it said.

“Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others. We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community.

Ayungin Shoal is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and continental shelf under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and as upheld by the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The NTF-WPS stressed that the Philippines will not be deterred from exercising legal rights over its own maritime zones. —KG, GMA Integrated News