China Coast Guard Uses Water Cannon Against Philippine Vessel in South China Sea

Not long after members of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) struck and injured Filipino sailors in Ayungin Shoal, a CCG vessel trained its water cannon at a Philippine boat while Filipino servicemen were performing routine trips in Bajo de Masinloc. According to Bea Pinlac's report on "24 Oras," the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship was 100 nautical miles away from Zambales in Bajo de Masinloc when it was tailed by the CCG vessel. The Philippine and Chinese vessels had exchanged radio challenges numerous times. The BRP Datu Dumangsil told the CCG through the radio, “Please keep clear of me and have a safe distance. Over.” China said it blocked Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal In return, the CCG vessel told the Philippine vessels that they entered China’s Huangyan Island. This is the same Chinese vessel that blasted water cannons at a BFR vessel in 2024. The incident also took place in Bajo de Masinloc. When the Philippine vessels were 13 nautical miles away from the center of Bajo de Masinloc, the CCG blasted water cannons towards the ship where GMA News was. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela said that the CCG ran its water cannon for about 2 minutes. “But it was not a direct hit. It was just a water cannon targeting toward the vessel but not directly hitting the BFAR vessel,” Tarriela said. This latest confrontation in the West Philippine Sea comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and Manila over the disputed waters. –Jean Mangalum/NB, GMA News