- The video shows the Chinese ship colliding with the Philippine ship while firing water cannons.
- The Philippine Coast Guard said the vessel was damaged in the attack.
- The conflict between the two countries within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone is the latest.
According to Philippine authorities, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel confronted two Philippine vessels this week, harassing them, ramming them and spraying them with water.
Official videos and other footage from media sources show that China continues to ignore international legal rulings over territory in the South China Sea, and tensions between the two countries are escalating. Philippine vessels within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.
The Philippine Coast Guard shared video footage of the incident on Tuesday.
The footage shows Chinese fishing vessels colliding with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, the country’s Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Resources vessel, the BRP Bagacay, BRP Datu Bangkohthe two ships were engaged in “lawful maritime navigation”; Scarborough Shoal is a disputed area in the South China Sea that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, and is forcibly controlled by China.
The footage released shows two large Chinese ships surrounding a Philippine ship and spraying water on both sides.
“During the patrol, the Philippine vessel encountered dangerous maneuvering and interference by four Chinese Coast Guard vessels and six Chinese Maritime Militia vessels,” Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriera said.
“The handrail and canopy were damaged” in the collision, Tarriera added, along with photographic evidence. “This damage is evidence of the powerful water pressure used by the Chinese Coast Guard to harass Philippine vessels.”
West Philippine Sea National Task Force Said The statement said China’s actions were “shocking and horrifying” and that embedded media outlets were able to witness and experience first-hand “illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions” on the part of China. Stated.
Local News5 journalist Gio Robles shared with X a video of the incident showing the scene from aboard the Datu Bangkoh.
Nicola Smith, the Telegraph’s Asia correspondent, was on board the Philippine Coast Guard ship Bagakay when the Chinese ship pelted it with water cannons. “All I heard was the roar of the water and the crew going crazy.” All I heard was screams,” he wrote about his experience. . ”
Mr Smith said the heavy attack broke the ship’s canopy, flooded the Datu Bangkoh and damaged the ship’s radar.
China’s Coast Guard said in a post on social media Weibo that it had expelled the Philippine vessel for “invading” its territorial waters “in accordance with the law.”
Meanwhile, the Philippines said the vessels “held their ground and continued their maritime patrols. They will remain undaunted and continue their legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety.” Ta.
Tom Shugart, a former U.S. naval officer and current officer, said a video posted to The attack clearly showed that the aircraft was targeting navigation and communication equipment. A non-resident senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security think tank wrote on social media:
“It’s not just about prevention, it’s about doing damage,” he says.
This is the latest battle between the two countries as China continues to maintain control over disputed waters in the South China Sea and assert supremacy in the strategic waterway in defiance of international law. The Chinese Coast Guard is stationed at Scarborough Shoal, but the Philippines continues to claim territorial rights to the area.
There have been many attacks by China on Philippine ships. Most recently, in March, Chinese water cannons smashed the windows of a Philippine ship, injuring four sailors.
The Philippine Coast Guard announced on Tuesday that China had reinstalled about 1,200 feet of floating barriers that “cover the entire entrance to the shallows, effectively restricting access to the area, which is a major fishing ground.”
