PH vessels harassed anew in Bajo de Masinloc

Following the initial attack, a CCG vessel “intentionally sideswiped” the BRP Datu Pagbuaya on its starboard side and launched another water cannon assault, Tarriela said. (Photo: @jaytaryela/X)

By Heidi Lacambra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel fired water cannons yet again at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship during a routine patrol near Bajo de Masinloc Wednesday.

China’s actions are “not standard law enforcement” but rather acts of “unlawful aggression”, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, posted on X.

“At around 6:30 AM, 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,” Tarriela narrated.

Following the initial attack, a CCG vessel “intentionally sideswiped” the BRP Datu Pagbuaya on its starboard side and launched another water cannon assault, Tarriela said.

“The PCG and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) vessels are legitimately patrolling our waters, while it is China that is encroaching upon them and militarizing the area by deploying PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy vessels to shadow PCG operations,” Tarriela added.

Other PCG vessels, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, “faced blocking, shadowing, and dangerous maneuvers from PLA Navy vessel 500 and CCG 503. Additionally, BRP Cabra was subjected to reckless maneuvers by CCG 3104 at a distance of 300 yards,” Tarriela said.

The vessels are on routine maritime patrol to support Filipino fishers in the area.

“The People’s Republic of China has no jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc, which is classified as a rock under the 2016 Arbitral Award and Article 121 of 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,” Tarriela said.

The PCG reaffirmed its commitment to protect Filipino fishers and safeguard the Philippines’ jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.