In another aggressive move, Chinese vessels targeted two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships with water cannons in the contested waters of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), according to the Philippine Navy’s report on October 8.
BFAR confirmed that the BRP Datu Cabaylo and BRP Datu Sanday were resupplying Filipino fishermen when Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels harassed them early morning on October 8. The Chinese ships maneuvered close to the BFAR vessels, attempting to disrupt the mission.
“The CCG vessels attempted to impede the mission of the BFAR vessels but were unsuccessful. The CCG vessels also opened and directed their water cannons, but this failed to reach the PH civilian boats,” BFAR said.
Despite these aggressive maneuvers, BFAR vessels successfully completed their mission. “Notwithstanding the dangerous maneuvers and opening of water cannons, both BFAR vessels were able to resupply the Filipino fisherfolk in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc,” the agency added.
During the operation, the BFAR vessels supplied seven Filipino mother boats and 16 small fishing boats, highlighting the resilience of Filipino fishermen in the region.
“We commend the professionalism and commitment to duty of our BFAR personnel who conduct these missions despite the risks involved,” BFAR stated.
The agency emphasized its commitment to continue operations in Philippine waters, despite challenges from Chinese vessels.
“The BFAR will not be deterred from fulfilling its mission of patrolling all Philippine maritime zones and providing support and assistance to Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea pursuant to its mandate of enforcing all laws and rules and regulations in the management and conservation of fishery resources,” BFAR said.
Before this, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, confirmed the water cannon assault during a press briefing.
“Yes, we received information about a Chinese Coast Guard vessel using a water cannon on a BFAR vessel in Bajo de Masinloc,” he said, adding that they would defer to BFAR for an official statement on the matter.
Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
The area has been a flashpoint between the Philippines and China, with Beijing claiming sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations.
China urges the Philippines to stop “intruding” on Scarborough Shoal
In a statement, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun defended China’s actions, claiming that the Philippines had violated Chinese territorial waters.
“The actions of the CCG were in accordance with the law, and the on-site operation is professional, standardized, legitimate and legal,” Liu said, alleging that the Philippines had “insisted” on encroaching into Chinese waters without permission.
China maintains it holds “indisputable sovereignty” over Huangyan Island — its name for Bajo de Masinloc—and the surrounding waters, calling on the Philippines to “stop the infringement immediately.”
The CCG reiterated that it would continue its “rights protection and law enforcement activities” within its claimed jurisdiction.
“The Chinese Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction under the law and firmly safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Liu said.
Despite the 2016 ruling by the international arbitration tribunal in The Hague, which rejected China’s broad claims in the South China Sea and ruled in favor of the Philippines, Beijing continues to ignore the decision. The ruling declared China’s claims to almost the entire South China Sea had “no legal basis.”
Lawmakers demand accountability
This latest act of aggression has sparked renewed calls for accountability from Philippine lawmakers.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada condemned the CCG’s actions, calling the attack a “blatant violation of our sovereign rights and rules-based international order, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
“We will not let these abuses and inhumane treatment of the CCG pass,” Estrada said in Filipino, stressing that the safety of Philippine personnel and the country’s sovereignty are non-negotiable.
“We must hold the CCG accountable for all of its unprovoked attacks. The safety of our government personnel and the sovereignty of our country are non-negotiable,” he emphasized.
Estrada also urged the country’s Navy and Coast Guard to increase patrols in the West Philippine Sea to protect Filipino citizens and secure the country’s waters.
Escalating tensions
BFAR’s successful resupply mission followed a series of Chinese aggressions in the West Philippine Sea. On September 27, a Chinese Navy missile boat aimed a laser three times at a BFAR aircraft conducting maritime surveillance near Hasa-Hasa Shoal, 111 kilometers off Palawan.
Rear Admiral Trinidad condemned these actions, saying, “Actions that endanger the lives of pilots or Navy personnel have no place in the West Philippine Sea.” He reiterated the Armed Forces of Philippine’s commitment to protecting the Philippines’ territory and sovereignty.
In February 2023, the Philippine Coast Guard accused the CCG of using a “military-grade” laser against a Filipino vessel supporting a Navy resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
On October 8, the Philippine Navy has reported a sharp increase in the number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, rising from 178 to 190 within a week.
The country’s Navy highlighted the presence of 28 PLAN and CCG vessels near Ayungin Shoal, Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal), and Bajo de Masinloc, underscoring the importance of these areas in protecting the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The Navy has called for continued vigilance and the modernization of defense capabilities to counter China’s ongoing activities in the region, reaffirming the AFP’s commitment to upholding international law and defending the country’s territorial integrity.
Photo credit: BFAR. Chinese vessel firing water cannon.