PCG says it can retaliate in ‘water war’ in West Philippine Sea

The Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday said it is capable of engaging in a “water war” in the West Philippine Sea, after the Chinese Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine supply ships last month.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, PCG Deputy Commandant for Administration Vice Admiral Oscar Endona Jr. said they will use “white to white diplomacy.”

“Actually, our white ships also have a water cannon so pwede tayong gumanti ng water cannon [we can retaliate with water cannon],” he said.

“To avert po sir the water cannon incident, the Coast Guard vessels will be re-provisioning the marines assigned in Ayungin [Shoal]  in Sierra Madre,” he added.

He made the statement after Senator Richard Gordon shared that China’s water cannon attack “looks like a rehearsal.”

Gordon described the scenario as a “water war.”

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said two Philippine supply boats on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal were water cannoned by Chinese Coast Guard vessels on November 16.

President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the action of the Chinese ships, calling it abhorrent. — BM, GMA News