By Daisuke Sato
Copyright defence-blog
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels engaged in aggressive and dangerous actions against a Philippine government vessel in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday morning, damaging equipment and injuring a crew member. According to PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, the incident occurred at approximately 9:14 AM while the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang (MMOV 3014), a vessel operated by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), was delivering fuel and supplies to Filipino fishermen as part of the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” (KBBM) mission near Bajo De Masinloc (BDM). The PCG said in a release that two Chinese Coast Guard ships, CCG 5201 and CCG 21562, used water cannons against the Philippine vessel while it was operating within the country’s exclusive economic zone. CCG 5201 reportedly fired a high-pressure water stream at the starboard side of the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang for nearly 30 minutes, shattering the aft bridge window and damaging internal structures, including electrical systems and five air conditioning units. One DA-BFAR personnel sustained injuries from flying glass during the assault. Simultaneously, CCG 21562 fired additional water cannon blasts from the vessel’s port side while stationed 17 nautical miles east of Bajo De Masinloc, according to the PCG. A Chinese maritime militia vessel, identified as CMM 00001, also engaged in unsafe maneuvers in the vicinity and attempted to fire water cannons at the Philippine ship while it was positioned just over 10 nautical miles east of the contested shoal. The PCG said the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang conducted defensive maneuvers to avoid further damage. “Despite the hostile actions, the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang successfully maneuvered away from the CCG vessels and rejoined nine other DA-BFAR vessels in the area,” Commodore Tarriela said. “The mission to provide fuel and supplies to Filipino fishermen continued.” The incident unfolded just minutes after a Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warship, bearing hull number 525, issued a radio broadcast at 8:30 AM declaring live-fire exercises in waters near Bajo De Masinloc. The coordinates outlined in the message encompassed an area close to active Filipino fishing operations and caused panic among local fishermen, Philippine officials said. The PCG emphasized that, despite continued aggression from Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, government agencies remain committed to asserting the Philippines’ maritime rights and safeguarding Filipino citizens operating in the area.
