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Philippine government vessels on Wednesday were again harassed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) while conducting a routine maritime patrol in the vicinity of Bajo De Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Today (Wednesday), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducted a routine maritime patrol in the vicinity of Bajo De Masinloc to support Filipino fishermen actively engaged in fishing in the area,” the PCG and BFAR said in a joint statement.
In this operation, PCG and BFAR ships experienced aggressive actions from several CCG vessels with bow numbers CCG-5303, CCG-3302 and CCG-3104.
Also taking part in the harassment were PLAN vessels with bow numbers 500 and 571.
“At around 6:30 a.m. CCG-3302 fired a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV-3003), aiming directly at the vessel’s navigational antennas while it was located 16 nautical miles south of Bajo de Masinloc. Following this hostile action, CCG-3302 intentionally sideswiped the BRP Datu Pagbuaya on its starboard side. Shortly thereafter, at 6:55 a.m., CCG 3302 launched a second water cannon attack on the same vessel,” it added.
Aside from this, PCG vessels, including the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MMRV-9701) also endured blocking, shadowing, and dangerous maneuvers from PLA Navy vessel 500 and CCG-503.
Additionally, BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) was subjected to reckless maneuvers by CCG-3104 at a distance of 300 yards.
Despite these developments, the PCG and BFAR reaffirm their commitment to protecting the rights and safety of Filipino fishermen within its maritime jurisdiction.
“We will continue to be vigilant in safeguarding our national interests in the WPS,” it added.
Meanwhile, PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said that China has no jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc, which is classified as a rock under the 2016 Arbitral Award and Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The Philippines has sovereignty over it, including its territorial sea. The waters beyond Bajo de Masinloc’s 12-nautical-mile territorial sea fall within the Philippine EEZ (exclusive economic zone) measured from Luzon’s baseline,” he added.
Tarriela also stressed that PCG and BFAR vessels are legitimately patrolling Philippine waters.
He also maintained that it is China that is encroaching upon them and militarizing the area by deploying PLAN vessels to shadow PCG operations.
“The dangerous maneuvers and water cannon harassment by the CCG are not standard law enforcement actions; rather, should be interpreted as unlawful aggression by international law violators,” Tarriela said.