China Again Uses Water Cannon Against Philippine Vessels in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard ships again used water cannon against Philippine government vessels near Bajo de Masinloc on Friday, July 24, the Philippine Coast Guard said, extending a week of tense encounters in the West Philippine Sea. The PCG said the incident happened while it was conducting maritime operations with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources with the aim of providing fuel subsidies and other support to Filipino fishermen in the area. A China Coast Guard vessel fired water cannon at BRP Cape San Agustin and BRP Datu Paduhinog during the mission, the PCG said. The incident came a day after the PCG also reported water cannon use and dangerous maneuvers by the China Coast Guard against Philippine vessels in the same area. Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, is a traditional fishing ground off Zambales and one of the most contested features in the West Philippine Sea. Recent Ayungin clash. The latest incident followed a separate confrontation earlier this week near Ayungin Shoal, where the Philippine military said a Filipino sailor was injured after being struck on the head with a wooden baton by a China Coast Guard member. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is where BRP Sierra Madre serves as the Philippines' outpost. China has denied wrongdoing and accused Philippine personnel of provoking the encounter. The Philippines has condemned China's actions as aggressive and unlawful, while Beijing has maintained that it was responding to Philippine vessels it said were operating illegally. China alleges jurisdiction over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected its sweeping claims.