By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(August 25, 2024) – A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship on Sunday afternoon rammed and repeatedly water-cannoned the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) vessel, BRP Datu Sanday, near Escoda Shoal.
News 5 was among those on board the BFAR ship, witnessing firsthand the dangerous actions of China.
The navigational and communication equipment of the BFAR ship was damaged due to the incident.
At around 3 p.m., BFAR decided to abort the mission to Escoda Shoal for the safety of the crew. BFAR has not yet determined the extent of the damage, as the ship still needs to undergo assessment.
No crew members and media personnel were hurt in the incident.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned China’s latest aggression.
“These unprofessional, aggressive, and illegal actions posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and fishermen they were meant to serve,” the NTF-WPS said in a media release. “Despite these provocative maneuvers, the crew aboard the BFAR vessel maintains high morale and remains safe and unharmed,” it added.
It also dismissed the CCG’s claim of rescuing a Filipino personnel who fell overboard, “This fake news and misinformation serves as a clear illustration of the PRC’s willingness to distort the truth and engage in disinformation to bolster its public image.”
In defense, the CCG claimed it was part of their control measures and routine navigation missions, pinning the blame on the BFAR vessel for allegedly engaging in dangerous maneuvers.
Escoda Shoal, however, is 70 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan and is within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Recently, two Philippine Coast Guard vessels reportedly sustained severe damages after colliding with CCG ships performing “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” near Escoda Shoal during a recent resupply mission.
Last Saturday, China once again launched flares dangerously close to a BFAR aircraft conducting a routine patrol near Pag-asa Island.
ALSO READ: China shoots flares anew vs. patrolling BFAR aircraft within PAGASA Island
“The Philippine government calls on the People’s Republic of China to halt these provocative actions that destabilize regional peace and security,” said NTF-WPS.
“The Philippines remains steadfast in asserting its rights in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the SEA (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”
(With reports from Gio Robles, News5)
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