The Philippines on Tuesday, April 30 accused China Coast Guard (CCG) of firing water cannons at two of its vessels, causing damage to one of them, during a patrol near Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the incident happened on the morning of April 29 during a resupply mission to Filipino fishermen in the country's territorial waters.
During the patrol, the Philippine vessels encountered dangerous maneuvers and obstructions from four CCG vessels and six Chinese maritime militia vessels.
One of the vessels was struck by water cannon from one of the CCG ships about 12 nautical miles (22km) from the shoal, while the PCG vessel was hit by water cannon fired by two of the CCG ships when it was about 1,000 yards (914 metres) away from the shoal.
The incident resulted to damage to the railing and canopy.
"This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels," the statement read.
A video footage of the water cannon incident was shared on X platform by PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela.
Yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP BAGACAY (MRRV-4410), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, BRP BANKAW (MMOV-3004), were assigned to carry out a legitimate maritime patrol in the waters near Bajo De Masinloc. The primary objective of this… pic.twitter.com/5jQkS2g66e
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) April 30, 2024
In the same statement, the PCG also revealed that CCG reinstalled a 380-meter (416-yard) barrier across the entrance to the shoal — a traditional fishing ground — blocking access to the waters inside.
China first installed the barrier last year, but the Philippines removed it in September as it breached international maritime law.
"Despite the harassment and provocative actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, both the PCG and BFAR vessels stood their ground and continued their maritime patrol. They were not deterred and will persist in carrying out their legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety," the PCG stated.
The Philippines and China have been involved in multiple incidents in and around the disputed reef in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety under a nine-dash line that an international tribunal ruled in 2016 to be without merit.
The country has filed several diplomatic protests against China over the said incidents.
