DOCKED. The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Bagacay, which was bombed with water by the China Coast Guard while en route to Bajo de Masinloc, is now docked at Pier 13 in Manila South Harbor on Thursday (May 2, 2024). China’s aggressive actions, particularly its water cannon use, caused damage to the Philippine vessels conducting routine humanitarian mission to Bajo de Masinloc. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday summoned the Chinese Embassy of Manila Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong over another harassment of Philippine vessels conducting routine humanitarian mission to Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.
In a statement, the DFA said the Philippines “protested the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous maneuvers, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions” of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels against the vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) last April 30.
“The Philippines demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately,” the statement read.
China’s aggressive actions, particularly its water cannon use, caused damage to the vessels of PCG and BFAR.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said the PCG vessel BRP Bagacay suffered some damage to a part of its superstructure from targeted high-pressure water cannoning by CCG vessels.
Meanwhile, BFAR’s BRP Bankaw also sustained damage to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; electrical, navigation, and radio systems; and superficial hull.
DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said for this year alone, the Philippines has lodged 20 diplomatic protests against China as of April 30 and a total of 153 under the Marcos administration.
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