Metro Manila, Philippines – A China coast guard (CCG) ship veered dangerously close to a Filipino fishing support vessel and blasted a water cannon for over two minutes during a fuel subsidy mission in Bajo de Masinloc, a coral atoll, on Thursday morning, July 23, an official said.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that no one was injured and that the two Filipino vessels successfully completed their fuel and food distribution to fishermen.
Two Filipino vessels, the BRP Datu Dumangsil and the BRP Datu Paiburong, conducted a fuel subsidy delivery mission.
The incident began at 5:54 a.m., when CCG 3302 – a 99-meter long patrol cutter ship – approached just 50 meters off the bow of the Datu Dumangsil. The CCG 21579 also tried to cut off the Datu Paiburong by crossing half a kilometer in front of it.
At 6:29 a.m., CCG 3302 unleashed its water cannon on the Datu Dumangsil for over two minutes.
The PCG described the CCG actions as “illegal, coercive, and aggressive” and said it violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).
The PCG simultaneously deployed a Cessna Grand Caravan for a maritime domain awareness flight over the coral atoll. It spotted three CCG vessels, two Chinese maritime militia vessels, and a lone PLA-Navy (UBN) vessel in the area.
Chinese forces issued a radio challenge to the PCG aircraft during the awareness flight.
Despite the harassment, the M/V Mamalakaya and the BRP Datu Cabaylo were able to complete their delivery.
“As of this morning, three PCG vessels, four BFAR vessels, and M/V Mamalakaya remain at BDM to continue the operation, against nine CCG vessels (CCG-21578, CCG-21579, CCG-3303,CCG-5306, CCG-4301, CCG-3107, CCG-21581, CCG-3302 and CCG-21563) and one Chinese Maritime Militia vessel (QIONG SAN SHAYU 00304) monitored in the area,” Tarriela said.
Days earlier, a CCG personnel struck a Philippine Navy sailor on the head with a wooden baton in Ayungin Shoal on Monday, July 20.
READ: China Coast Guard hits PH sailor with wooden baton at Ayungin Shoal
