Philippines: Chinese Coast Guard Water Cannons Philippine BFAR Vessel, Deploys Floating Barrier
PCG: The Chinese Coast Guard has again installed a 380-meter floating barrier “that covers the entire entrance of the shoal, effectively restricting access to the area”.
SCARBOROUGH SHOAL - During a maritime patrol in the waters near Bajo De Masinloc, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel deployed a water cannon, directly hitting the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel.
Deputy Chief of Staff, and spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard Jay Tarriela released a statement that said, “When the PCG vessel was approximately 1000 yards east-southeast of BDM, CCG-3105 and CCG-5303 employed their jet stream water cannons, targeting the PCG vessel from both sides, resulting in damage to the railing and canopy”.
He also added, “During the patrol, the Philippine vessels encountered dangerous maneuvers and obstruction from four China Coast Guard vessels and six Chinese Maritime Militia vessels”.
The statement noted that the Chinese Coast Guard has again installed a 380-meter floating barrier “that covers the entire entrance of the shoal, effectively restricting access to the area”.