Tarriela: Chinese Coast Guard water-cannons BFAR ships in Panatag Shoal

Grand Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard for the West Philippine Sea. Arnel Tacson, INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese Coast Guard vessel harassed and water cannoned Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels manned by Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal on Friday, said Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Jay Tarriela.

In a statement, Tarriela said China’s aggression was conducted at about 10 a.m. on June 20, adding that four BFAR vessels – BRP Datu Tamblot, BRP Datu Taradapit, BRP Datu Bankaya, and BRP Datu Daya — were deployed to distribute fuel subsidies to the fishing community in the area.

READ: China-ships-challenge-pcg-bfar-vessels-setting-fishing-devices/

“At approximately 10 a.m., BRP Datu Taradapit faced aggressive maneuvers from the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-4203, which approached within 600 yards and fired a water cannon from 15.6 nautical miles southwest of Panatag Shoal,” said Tariela.

The WPS spokesperson said despite these aggressive actions, including blocking maneuvers and a water cannon attack that briefly struck the port quarter of BRP Datu Taradapit, the vessel adeptly maneuvered away to avoid significant damage.

“At 10:30 a.m., CCG-3105 targeted BRP Datu Tamblot with a water cannon from a distance of 18.1 nautical miles southeast of the shoal, but the attack missed its mark,” said Tarriela.

Six China Coast Guard vessels, two PLA Navy warships, and multiple Chinese maritime militia vessels were likewise monitored in the area during BFAR’s operation.

Tarriela believes these Chinese vessels also “aimed to obstruct BFAR’s efforts to provide support and subsidies to Filipino fishermen.”

In the end, Tarriela emphasized that the operations conducted by BFAR vessels are within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.

“Filipino fishermen have sovereign rights to exploit resources in these waters, particularly for fishing. The presence of BFAR and PCG vessels is fully aligned with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” he said.

China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters is borne out of a sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

It, however,  has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal. /mr