China vessels fire water cannon at BFAR ships in Bajo de Masinloc —PH Navy

Chinese vessels fired water cannons at two ships of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the BFAR said its BRP Datu Cabaylo and BRP Datu Sanday were conducting a resupply mission to Filipino fishermen in the area early Tuesday morning when the harassment took place.

The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and one People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel moved near and shadowed the Philippine vessels.

“The CCG vessels attempted to impede the mission of the BFAR vessels but were unsuccessful. The CCG vessels also opened and directed their water cannons, but this failed to reach the PH civilian boats,” BFAR said.

“Notwithstanding the dangerous maneuvers and opening of water cannons, both BFAR vessels were able to resupply the Filipino fisherfolk in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc,” it added.

Seven Filipino mother boats and 16 small fishing boats received supplies from the two BFAR vessels.

“We commend the professionalism and commitment to duty of our BFAR personnel who conduct these missions despite the risks involved,” the bureau said.

“The BFAR will not be deterred from fulfilling its mission of patrolling all Philippine maritime zones and providing support and assistance to Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea pursuant to its mandate of enforcing all laws and rules and regulations in the management and conservation of fishery resources,” it added.

The incident was first reported by the Philippine Navy in a press briefing.

"Yes, we were informed of a water cannon incident in Bajo de Masinloc by the Chinese Coast Guard vessel towards a BFAR vessel," Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office, information about the incident was received on Tuesday morning.

"Because of that, we would like to politely defer to the BFAR for their official statement on the issue," Trinidad added.

GMA News Online has sought comment from BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera about the incident but he has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

According to a report on Balitanghali, sources said the BFAR ship was deployed to distribute supplies to Filipino fishermen in the area.

Bajo de Masinloc, also called Panatag Shoal and Scarborough Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, CCG spokesman Liu Dejun stated that the actions of the CCG were “in accordance with the law, and the on-site operation is professional, standardized, legitimate and legal” as the Philippines allegedly “insisted” on invading their waters without Chinese permission.

“China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its nearby waters, and sovereignty and jurisdiction over the relevant waters. We urge the Philippines to stop the infringement immediately,” read the statement, using China's name for Bajo de Masinloc.

China reiterated that the CCG will continue to “carry out [their] rights protection and law enforcement activities” within its claimed waters.

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

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has not recognized the decision. — with Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/VDV/KBK/BM, GMA Integrated News