China forces blast PH vessels with water cannons anew in Bajo de Masinloc

The China Coast Guard (CCG) fired water cannons anew at Philippine vessels in the waters of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) on Friday morning, just a day after they attacked Filipino sailors in the same area.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), their Chinese counterparts attacked Filipino boats with water cannons as the latter were trying to deliver food and fuel to fisherfolk.

The PCG said that at about 6:26 a.m., CCG vessel 3107 fired its water cannon at the BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) from a distance of some 400 meters. The PCG vessel had been conducting a maritime patrol only 15 nautical miles away from Bajo de Masinloc.

At around 7:35 a.m., CCG vessel 21581 fired its water cannon at the BRP Datu Paduhinog (MMOV 3017), a vessel of the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), a mere 12 nautical miles northeast of the shoal.

Finally, at around 7:53 a.m., the CCG 21581 directly hit the BRP Datu Paduhinog, then blasted it two more times.

"Shortly thereafter, BRP Datu Paduhinog experienced a temporary loss of its satellite internet connectivity while transiting approximately 10 nautical miles northeast of [Bajo de Masinloc]; connectivity was restored at 8:36 AM," the PCG said.

Then at around 8:09 a.m., Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00318 was seen pulling a rope 100 meters directly behind the BRP Datu Sumakwel (MMOV 3019).

The PCG said this act posed danger to the vessel's safe navigation.

It added said that despite the "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions" from Chinese forces, all BFAR and PCG personnel are safe.

GMA News Online has requested comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila regarding the matter, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

In a separate incident just last Thursday, the CCG blasted vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR in Scarborough Shoal while they were performing a routine trip to aid fisherfolk.

The CCG landed an indirect hit on these Philippine vessels.

According to the PCG, there were a total of 26 vessels in Bajo de Masinloc as of 9:30 a.m. Friday, namely: three PCG vessels, seven BFAR vessels, compared to 12 CCG vessels and three Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.

The PCG slammed the latest encounter, saying that: "Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine territory, and its surrounding waters form part of the country's territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. The 2016 Arbitral Award has affirmed that Bajo de Masinloc is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fisherfolk, whose rights cannot be lawfully impeded by any foreign power."

The Friday attack is part of a series of tense confrontations between Chinese and Filipino forces in the West Philippine Sea this past week.

Aside from the two water cannon incidents, the CCG physically assaulted Filipino servicemen with wooden clubs in Ayungin Shoal on Monday.

The confrontation left two members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines injured, with one of them requiring several stitches on the head.

On Tuesday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. summoned Chinese Envoy to the Philippines Jing Quan to discuss the Monday incident. Shortly after the meeting, however, Quan placed the blame on the Filipino forces. — VDV, GMA News