Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship BRP Datu Gumbay Piang has been damaged after being water cannoned by two Chinese Coast Guard ships near Bajo de Masinloc, on Tuesday.
The BFAR Ship was currently distributing fuel and supplies under the ‘Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda’ when the Chinese ships fired water cannon.
According to PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, the CCG’s attack lasted for about thirty minutes, causing damage to the BFAR ship and injuring a BFAR crew member after being hit by broken glass.
As Beijing has repeatedly defended, Huangyan Dao is part of Chinese territory, and China conducts its so-called lawful approach to protect its maritime rights and interests.
The Filipino Do Not Yield Group criticized the incident and illegal actions of China, as Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, noting that Beijing’s plan to build a Nature Reserve in Philippine waters is illegal.
Beijing only wants to cover up its true intentions in the country’s EEZ, which is why China’s aggressiveness is becoming more dominant.
The organization also noted the continued illegal activities and harassment of Philippine ships by CCG vessels.
The United States expressed its condemnation of China’s aggressive actions in Philippine waters.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson also praised the professionalism of PCG personnel in upholding sovereign rights, protecting Filipino fishermen and maintaining maritime law in the free and open Indo-Pacific region.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News