Chinese Ships Deploy Water Cannons & Ram BFAR Vessel To Disrupt Humanitarian Mission

Vessel Collision — Screengrab from X video posted by Jay Tarriela

On August 25, 2024, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Sanday collided in the disputed region near Xianbin Reef, also known as the Escoda Shoal.

The BFAR vessel was on a humanitarian mission to provide diesel, food, and medical supplies to Filipino fishermen when it encountered aggressive maneuvers from eight Chinese maritime forces.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) 626 and many coast guard vessels attempted to obstruct the BFAR’s operations by encircling and blocking the vessel with dangerous maneuvers.

The Chinese Coast Guard vessels rammed, blasted horns, and used water cannons at the BRP Datu Sanday, causing the vessel’s engine to fail, and the mission was called off.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) criticized the actions, describing them as aggressive, illegal, and unprofessional. They posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were supposed to aid.

NTF-WPS STATEMENT

Today, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002), encountered aggressive and dangerous maneuvers from eight Chinese maritime forces while operating from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal. The actions of the Chinese… pic.twitter.com/N8WW5QkXJE

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) August 25, 2024

Video Credits: Jay Tarriela/X

Fortunately, the BFAR crew remains safe and unharmed.

The NTF-WPS, in their statement, reported that Beijing is spreading misinformation by claiming that the Chinese Coast Guard rescued the Filipino personnel who went overboard.

On the other hand, China’s Coast Guard spokesperson, Gan Yu, accused the Philippine ship of intentionally colliding with their vessel, which the Philippines denies.

According to Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese ships’ aggressive conduct, including ramming and dousing with water cannons, caused the collision.

Social media footage showed the Chinese vessel rushing toward the BRP Datu Sanday before the collision.

The two countries have been working on a preliminary agreement to lessen tensions, but China’s recent aggressive measures have undermined confidence-building efforts.

The Philippine government has urged China to stop aggressively threatening regional peace and security.

Reference: NTF WPS

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