Nations express concern over China water cannon assault on PCG ship

Several countries on Tuesday expressed concern after ships of the China Coast Guard trained water cannons on a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in the West Philippine Sea earlier in the day, calling the action "dangerous."

"Concerned about the recent incident around Scarborough Shoal. Dangerous actions including the use of water cannon against PCG & BFAR vessels undermines the safety of ship and crew," Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The BRP Bagacay was en route to Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal, with Philippine civilian vessels on a supply mission when they were hit by the Chinese ships. The Bagacay sustained damage on its left side, including the railings and the LED display. The canopy at the back of the ship was also heavily damaged.

A Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Bankaw, which was also part of the mission, was also water cannoned by Chinese vessels, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, in a statement.

In a separate tweet, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron said China's action was against international law.

"Dangerous manoeuvres, water cannoning, floating barrier, or any aggressive behaviours, is a threat to safety of life at sea, the freedom of navigation, and the prohibition of the use of force or coercion," he also said.

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson reiterated her country's support. "The PRC used dangerous maneuvers and water cannons to disrupt a lawful Philippine mission providing food and fuel to fisherfolk within the [Philippines'] EEZ. The Philippines can count on US support as #FriendsPartnersAllies to uphold freedom of navigation and international law," she said.

The New Zealand Embassy, meanwhile, called for "the peaceful resolution of disputes in full accordance with UNCLOS," or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which both China and Philippines are signatories.

British Ambassador Laure Beaufils condemned China's action. "We reiterate our call for respect for UNCLOS and adherence to the 2016 Arbitral Award, which is legally binding on the parties," she said.

The 2016 arbitral ruling by an international tribunal invalidated China's massive claims on nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, including areas of the West Philippine Sea which are in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. China rejects the ruling. 

Chine Coast Guard and militia vessels have also been seen patrolling the areas where the Philippines has been holding its annual Balikatan exercises with the US. — BM, GMA Integrated News