Estrada denounces China Coast Guard water cannon attack

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada — Photo from Jinggoy Estrada/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has called on the government to pursue all necessary diplomatic and legal measures against a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship that blasted a Philippine fisheries vessel with a water cannon near Bajo de Masinloc on Tuesday.

The BRP Datu Gumbay Piang sustained damage and one crew member was injured in the incident.

“I… call on our government to pursue all necessary diplomatic and legal measures, and to stand firmly with the crew of the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang. Their courage reflects our collective resolve to never yield an inch of what is rightfully ours,” Estrada said in a statement.

He also urged the international community “to take serious note of this latest provocation.”

“The China Coast Guard’s use of water cannons against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Datu Gumbay Piang is yet another blatant display of China’s disregard for international law, our sovereign rights, and the safety of our countrymen. Such hostile actions have no place in the civilized world,” the senator said.

READ: LOOK: PH ship damaged after China Coast Guard’s water cannon attack

“This must be denounced without equivocation. Bajo de Masinloc is ours, that’s why Filipino crew members have the right to conduct mission for our fishermen,” he added.

“Their harassment and abuse cannot erase the fact that the law is on our side and the Arbitral Tribunal favored us in defending our rights,” he said.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang (MMOV 3014) was delivering fuel and supplies to fishermen as part of the government’s “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” program when it was attacked by CCG vessel with hull number 5201. /das