AL JAZEERA | Published December 4, 2024
The Philippines Coast Guard accused Chinese vessels of aggressive and dangerous actions after one of their ships was sprayed by water cannon in the latest confrontation in the contested South China Sea.
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SOURCE: www.aljazeera.com
RELATED: US condemns China’s latest hostility vs. PH vessels in WPS
HARASSMENT. A CCG vessel bombards BRP Datu Pagbuaya with water cannon while the latter was on routine maritime patrol in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc on Wednesday (Dec. 4, 2024) morning. The US government condemned China’s latest hostility, labelling the act as “unlawful”. (Video screenshot courtesy of PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela)
PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY| Published December 4, 2024
MANILA – The US government on Wednesday condemned China’s latest harassment of Philippine vessels at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), labelling the act as “unlawful”.
“The PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers disrupted a Philippine maritime operation on December 4, putting lives at risk,” US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson posted on X.
“We condemn these actions and stand with our likeminded friends, partners, allies in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it faced fresh Chinese hostility during a routine maritime patrol to support Filipinos fishing in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc on Wednesday morning.
At around 6:30 a.m., PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said a Chinese Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, aiming directly at the vessel’s navigational antennas while it was located 16 nautical miles south of Bajo de Masinloc.
It also “intentionally sideswiped” the same ship on its starboard side and shortly thereafter, at 6:55 a.m., it launched its second water cannon attack.
PCG vessels, including the BRP Teresa Magbanua, likewise faced blocking, shadowing, and dangerous maneuvers from a People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel and another Chinese Coast Guard ship while BRP Cabra was subjected to reckless maneuvers by a different CCG vessel.
Beijing lays sovereignty claims over the feature, which is located well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
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SOURCE: www.pna.gov.ph
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