MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) “condemned” the actions of the China Coast Guard (CCG) after it used water cannons against a research ship in the vicinity of Pag-asa on Wednesday, May 21.
In a statement on Thursday, May 22, the BFAR said it deployed two of its ships, the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) and BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003), for a “routine mission with a Filipino scientific team to collect sand samples as part of a marine scientific research initiative.”
At around 9:13 am on May 21 near Pag-asa Cay 2, CCG ship 21559 used it water cannon and sideswipped the BRP Datu Sanday twice, said the BFAR. As a result, it vessel incurred “damage to the latter’s port bow and smokestack, and putting at risk lives of its civilian personnel onboard.”
Pag-asa Cay 2 is around two nautical miles away from Pag-asa Island.
“This incident marks the first time water cannons have been used against DA-BFAR research vessels in the area of the Pag-Asa Cays,” said the BFAR.
While the two ships are under BFAR, its crew are mostly composed of personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The Philippine team was still able to complete its operations in Pag-Asa Cays 1, 2 and 3, according to BFAR.
“DA-BFAR remains committed to scientific integrity, sustainable fisheries management, and the protection of national interests in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international and domestic law,” said the BFAR.
The Philippines claims Pag-asa island, internationally known as Thitu, as well as its nearby cays. Pag-asa island is beyond the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but is considered part of the West Philippine Sea and the Kalayaan Island Group, noted the BFAR.
This is not the first case of harassment towards Philippine personnel and vessels in the area of Pag-asa Island and its cays. China has also used its helicopters to harass scientiests while they were on the cays.
In a interview with reporters, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said Philippine personnel will not be deterred from carrying out its missions in the West Philippine Sea. — Rappler.com