30 Abril 2024, Martes
more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ
welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay
supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024
supports DENR Earth Day, Every Day campaign
Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan
Ch water cannons Ph vessels nr Scarborough
By J.Lo
“This damage serves as evidence of forceful water pressure used by China Coast Guard in their harassment of Philippine vessels,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the National Task Force of the WPS said China Coast Guard (CCG) ships once again fired water cannons at Philippine vessels delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc.
Incident marked latest in series of aggressive actions by China in West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Tarriela, said PCG vessel BRP Bagacay and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Bankaw “encountered dangerous maneuvers and obstruction” from four CCG ships and six Chinese maritime militia boats.
According to Tarriela, CCG vessel utilized its water cannon at around 9:53 in the morning directly hitting starboard astern of BRP Bankaw, when BFAR vessel was about 12 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.
When BRP Bagacay was located around 1,000 yards east southeast of Bajo de Masinloc, two CCG vessels deployed their jet stream water cannons, simultaneously targeting PCG vessel from both sides. This resulted in significant damage to the vessel’s railing and canopy.
He added CCG re-installed 380-meter floating barrier at entrance of Bajo de Masinloc, restricting access to the area.
In September, Philippines removed floating barrier installed by China at behest of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Despite harassment and provocative actions of Chinese Coast Guard, both 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,” Tarriela said.
Situated 240 kilometers west of Luzon, Bajo de Masinloc has long been fishing ground utilized by generations of Filipino fishers.
Shoal lies nearly 900 km. from the nearest major Chinese landmass of Hainan.
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