China Coast Guard water cannon damages BRP Datu Pagbuaya

The China Coast Guard (CCG) fired a water cannon on the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, damaging several parts of the Philippine ship in a fresh act of harassment by Chinese forces in the West Philippine Sea.

According to a report by Raffy Tima on 24 Oras on Friday, drone footage from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) showed the CCG 3302 targeting the exhaust of the BRP Datu Pagbuaya.

The high-pressure water cannon destroyed the protective cover of the ship’s exhaust, leaving it vulnerable. The crew explained that if water entered the exhaust, it could disable the engine, creating a hazardous situation in the open sea.

After damaging the exhaust, the CCG redirected its water cannon at three fuel tanks at the rear of the Filipino vessel. Made of industrial-grade plastic and containing fuel for Filipino fishermen, the tanks were deformed under the intense pressure.

Despite the Chinese actions, BRP Datu Pagbuaya continued its mission near the Scarborough Shoal, attempting to evade the CCG’s attempts at intimidation. However, the larger  Chinese ship sped up and rammed the Philippine vessel, tilting it at a 40-degree angle.

Meanwhile, BRP Datu Pagbuaya’s sister ship, the BRP Datu Matanam Taradapit, patrolling near Sandy Cay close to Pag-asa Island, narrowly avoided being rammed by another Chinese militia ship.

BFAR spokesperson Nasser Briguera commended the courage of Filipino personnel facing repeated harassment in the West Philippine Sea.

“Nakikita naman natin kung gaano kagigiting ang ating mga personnel ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources na siyang lulan nitong mga barko natin na nagpapatrolya diyan sa West Philippine Sea,” said Briguera. 

(We can see the bravery of our personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources who were onboard this ship patrolling over the West Philippine Sea.) 

“Paulit-ulit silang nakakaranas ng mga harassment pero masasabi natin na hindi sila natitinag.” 

(Despite the repeated harassment, the Filipino crew remained fearless.) 

In response to this latest aggression, the Philippine government filed another diplomatic protest against Beijing.

This year alone, the Philippines has lodged 60 diplomatic protests against China, with 193 protests filed since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took office. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/DVM, GMA Integrated News