The China Coast Guard (CCG) announced on Friday that it again used its water cannon against a Philippine vessel in Scarborough Shoal on Friday.

In an article posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, China Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun identified the Philippine vessel on its bow number 3006.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the West Philippine Sea said four BFAR vessels including BRP Datu Tamblot, BRP Datu Taradapit, BRP Datu Bankaya, and BRP Datu Daya along with PCG personnel were deployed to distribute supplies to the Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal on Friday morning.

"Upon arrival, BFAR distributed fuel subsidies to over 20 local fishing boats, highlighting the national government's commitment to the Filipino fishing community. However, at approximately 10:00 am, BRP Datu Taradapit faced aggressive maneuvers from the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-4203, which approached within 600 yards and fired a water cannon from 15.6 nautical miles southwest of Panatag Shoal," he said.

"Despite these aggressive actions, including blocking maneuvers and a water cannon attack that briefly struck the port quarter of BRP Datu Taradapit, the vessel adeptly maneuvered away to avoid significant damage. At 10:30 AM, CCG-3105 targeted BRP Datu Tamblot with a water cannon from a distance of 18.1 nautical miles southeast of the shoal, but the attack missed its mark," he added.

Throughout the operation, Tarriela said "six China Coast Guard vessels, two PLA Navy warships, and multiple Chinese maritime militia vessels were monitored, all of which aimed to obstruct BFAR’s efforts to provide support and subsidies to Filipino fishermen."

Liu said "the CCG employed gradually escalating measures, including verbal warnings, tracking, monitoring and expulsion actions, as well as water cannon warning shots, to expel the Philippine ship" as "the Philippine vessel disregarded China's repeated dissuasion and warnings, insisting on approaching and intruding into Chinese territorial waters around Huangyan Dao."

The Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson claimed that "all on-site actions were professional, standardized and legitimate."

Despite the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, which endangered Filipino crew members and fishermen, Tarriela said the BFAR vessels remained resolute in their mission to protect local fishing boats.

"The operations conducted by BFAR vessels are within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines. Filipino fishermen have sovereign rights to exploit resources in these waters, particularly for fishing. The presence of BFAR and PCG vessels is fully aligned with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award," he said.

"The BFAR and PCG reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen and will continue legitimate operations in Panatag Shoal," he added. Robina Asido/DMS