Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of spraying water cannon at patrol ship

The Philippines says Chinese coast guard used water cannons to obstruct and damage its patrol boats near Scarborough Shoal.

The incident occurred on April 30 near Scarborough Shoal, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela said. Four Chinese coast guard vessels and six maritime militia vessels "dangerously maneuvered and obstructed" two Philippine vessels that were patrolling and supplying fishermen in the area.

Two Philippine vessels, the PCG patrol boat BRP Bagacay and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Bankaw, were carrying food and fuel.

According to Tarriela, when about 12 nautical miles from Scarborough, a Chinese coast guard ship sprayed water cannons at the BRP Bankaw. The BRP Bagacay, when more than 900 meters from the shoal, was also sprayed with water cannons from two Chinese coast guard ships from both sides, "damaging the ship's railings and roof."

Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of spraying water cannon at supply ship

Video released by PCG shows two Chinese coast guard vessels spraying water cannons at a Philippine patrol boat on April 30. Video: PCG

"These damages are evidence that the Chinese Coast Guard used high-pressure water to drive away the Filipino vessels," Tarriela said. "The PCG and BFAR vessels continue their patrol and supply operations. They are not deterred and will continue to carry out their supply missions and ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen."

PCG also accused China of re-establishing 380 meters of buoys blocking the entrance to Scarborough Shoal.

The Chinese Coast Guard said on the same day that it had “chased away” a Philippine coast guard ship and another vessel in waters near Scarborough Shoal. The force did not specify what happened during the encounter.

Location of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Graphic: CSIS

Scarborough Shoal is an atoll located about 240 kilometers off the main Philippine island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers off the southeastern coast of China. Both the Philippines and China claim sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, but Beijing has controlled the shoal since 2012.

The Philippines has announced it will regain control of the Scarborough Shoal from China and is developing a strategy to do so.

Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Reuters )

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