The Philippine Coast Guard disclosed that the Chinese Coast Guard used high-pressure water cannons against a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel distributing fuel subsidies and food to fishermen near Scarborough Shoal, while China insisted the Philippine vessels had intruded into Chinese waters and that their actions complied with the law.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG 3302 sprayed high-pressure water at the BRP Datu Dumangsil, operated by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), while it was distributing fuel subsidies and relief supplies to Filipino fishermen operating near Scarborough Shoal, which the Philippines calls Panatag Shoal.
Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea, said the incident occurred at approximately 05:54 local time on 23 July when the Chinese vessel approached within about 50 meters of the bow of BRP Datu Dumangsil. Then, at 06:29, the Chinese vessel sprayed high-pressure water for over two minutes, hitting the Philippine vessel, though it was an indirect confrontation.
Additionally, another Chinese Coast Guard vessel, CCG 21579, crossed in front of BRP Datu Paiburong at a distance of about 500 meters, which the Philippines described as dangerous navigation.
The Philippine Coast Guard stated that China's actions violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and endangered Philippine personnel conducting humanitarian missions. However, no injuries were reported, and the BFAR vessels continued distributing fuel and food to fishermen until the mission was completed later that morning.
Moreover, the Philippines deployed a Coast Guard Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft to conduct aerial patrols over the disputed area, reporting that it received radio communications from the Chinese side despite flying within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
The patrol detected nine Chinese Coast Guard vessels, two Chinese maritime militia ships, and one Chinese Navy warship operating in the area.
The Chinese Coast Guard issued a statement saying they tracked, intercepted, and expelled two Philippine vessels entering waters near Scarborough Shoal, alleging a violation of Chinese sovereignty despite warnings. China affirmed that its personnel acted professionally and legally, urging the Philippines to cease what it viewed as provocative and sovereignty-violating actions.
This incident occurred while ASEAN foreign ministers were meeting together in Manila, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi participating in the meetings.
Just one day earlier, the foreign ministers of China and the Philippines exchanged protests regarding a confrontation between their vessels at Second Thomas Shoal, another key disputed site in the South China Sea.
Wang Yi warned the Philippines that if it continued provocative actions against China supported by external great powers, the Philippines would face "bitter consequences of its own making."
Scarborough Shoal is located about 357 kilometers from the coast of Zambales Province in the Philippines and lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, the area has been controlled by China since 2012 following a naval confrontation between the two countries.
Although the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in 2016 that China’s claims in the South China Sea lack legal basis and affirmed traditional fishing rights of Filipino fishermen in the area, China has rejected this ruling and continues to claim most of the South China Sea.
/sourceINQUIRER.net/Reuters