Philippines on Tuesday alleged that the China Coast Guard deployed water cannons towards two of its vessels, resulting in damage to one of them, while conducting a patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
It accused China of engaging in “dangerous maneuvers and obstruction” and reinstating a barrier at the contested Scarborough Shoal. The shoal was blockaded and seized from Manila by Beijing in 2012, Al Jazeera said.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela said, “Two Philippine vessels on maritime patrol encountered four China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and six vessels from its maritime militia in the area on Monday morning”.
One of the vessels was targeted by water cannon from a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship approximately 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) from the shoal. Meanwhile, another Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel was hit by water cannon discharged from two CCG ships when it was approximately 1,000 yards (914 meters) away from the shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc by the Philippines.
In a post on X, PCG spokesperson said “Yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP BAGACAY (MRRV-4410), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, BRP BANKAW (MMOV-3004), were assigned to carry out a legitimate maritime patrol in the waters near Bajo De Masinloc. The primary objective of this mission was to distribute fuel and food supplies, highlighting our commitment to supporting the fishermen in accordance with the President’s food security policy. During the patrol, the Philippine vessels encountered dangerous maneuvers and obstruction from four China Coast Guard vessels and six Chinese Maritime Militia vessels”.
Despite China’s claim that it “expelled” Philippine vessels from the area, which serves as a traditional fishing ground and offers shelter during stormy weather, the Philippines asserted that China had reinstalled a barrier approximately 415 yards (380 meters) long across the entrance to the shoal. This information was reported by Al Jazeera, citing a statement from Tarriela. The shoal is situated about 220 kilometers (137 miles) off the coast of the Philippines and falls within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
As per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extends approximately 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometers) from a country’s coastline. Previously, when China had erected the same barrier last year, the Philippines removed it, asserting that it encroached upon the island nation’s maritime boundaries according to international maritime law.
According to Al Jazeera’s report, tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated sharply due to China’s expansionist claims over the South China Sea. Beijing asserts nearly full ownership of the region under a nine-dash line, a claim that an international tribunal ruled to be invalid in 2016.
Manila pursued its case before the tribunal after China seized Scarborough Shoal over a decade ago. Despite the tribunal’s ruling, China has disregarded it and persisted in asserting its claim. Additionally, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam also assert claims over parts of the sea surrounding their coastlines, as mentioned in the report.