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Chinese ships harass, perform dangerous maneuvers vs PH vessels during WPS resupply mission
Several Filipino crewmen were injured after the China Coast Guard (CCG) water cannoned a Philippine resupply ship on a rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
A video of GMA Integrated News’ JP Soriano shows the CCG performing dangerous maneuvers and repeatedly attacking Philippine resupply ship Unaizah May 4 (UM4), causing extensive damage to the RoRe vessel. The navy crew onboard UM4 also sustained injuries.
The Chinese vessels likewise obstructed the media’s view.
WATCH: From aboard the BRP Cabra, China Coast Guard repeatedly attacked the Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4, causing injuries to its navy crew and extensive damage. Chinese vessels also obstructed our view. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/VHOXqD2OQW
— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) March 25, 2024
CCG personnel were likewise seen in separate footage conducting multiple dangerous maneuvers in the WPS, and even inching close to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) to at least within one meter.
On March 23, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that the CCG performed a dangerous maneuver against a Philippine vessel. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that one of its vessels, which was part of the mission, was encircled by Chinese vessels.WATCH: Observe How China Coast Guard and Chinese Military Militia Vessels Conducted Multiple Dangerous Maneuvers Inside the West Philippine Sea, Approaching the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan to Within One Meter. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/iEaFa0slQh
— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) March 25, 2024
The AFP also said the Unaizah May 4 (UM4), which was carrying supplies for the Filipino troops stationed in the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, "sustained heavy damage'' due to the ''continued blasting of water cannons" from two CCG vessels.
Three navy personnel were injured due to the incident, according to National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano over the weekend.
On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to “convey the Philippines’ strong protest against the aggressive actions” committed by the CCG and Chinese maritime militia.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., for his part, challenged China to put its sovereignty claim to arbitration after it had warned the Philippines to bear all ''potential consequences'' amid its actions in the South China Sea.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased recently as the two countries traded accusations such as alleged intrusion, shadowing, blocking, and performing dangerous maneuvers.
China claims most of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Parts of the waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) have been renamed the West Philippine Sea. Ayungin Shoal is in the Philippines' EEZ and continental shelf under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and as upheld by the 2016 Arbitral Award.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News
