DFA summons Chinese exec over latest water cannon incident in Scarborough

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday summoned Chinese Embassy of Manila Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong over the recent water cannon incident in Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc. 

According to DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza, the Philippine government "protested the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing, blocking, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions by the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia against Philippine vessels."

The DFA, in a statement, also "demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately."

The incident took place on Tuesday as CCG vessels fired water cannons at Philippine civilian vessels en route to Scarborough Shoal for a supply mission.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel, BRP Bagacay, sustained damage in its canopy and steel railing due to the water cannon attack by two large CCG vessels. 

A Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Bankaw, which was also part of the mission, was also water cannoned by Chinese vessels.  

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier said it will send a recommendation to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) about the incident.

A Reuters report quoted Chinese ministry spokesperson Lin Jian as telling the Philippines to stop provocations and to not challenge China's determination to safeguard its "sovereignty."

"Philippine ships intruded without China's permission and the Chinese coast guard took necessary measures to drive them away," said Lin Jian, who was addressing a query on the matter.

The Philippines and China have repeatedly clashed in recent months at the submerged reef, which Manila says is in its exclusive economic zone.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis. Beijing, however, refused to recognize the ruling. 

--VAL, GMA Integrated News