China Coast Guard blocks Philippine military boat with water cannon attack – Philippine Armed Forces allege

Manila/Beijing – The Armed Forces of the Philippines has accused the Chinese Coast Guard of attacking a military ship travelling on the Philippine maritime border with a water cannon. During this incident in the South China Sea on Saturday, the Philippines also accused the Chinese ship of dangerously blocking the way of the Philippine vessel. The actions of China are provocative, and the Philippines has indicated that this violates international law. The US has supported the Philippines in this matter and has also criticised China’s aggression.

On Saturday, four Philippine ships went on a supply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal area of Spratly Island. Two supply ships and two Coast Guard ships were dispatched to deliver essential supplies to Philippine bases in the region. Their fleet was heading towards Second Thomas Shoal when China’s Coast Guard attacked one of these vessels with water cannon. Due to this Chinese attack, the Philippine ship had to change its course, leaving the mission incomplete.

Moreover, the route of the Coast Guard was also blocked in the same operation. Tension was high for some time after a Chinese Coast Guard ship stopped the way of the Philippine vessel. The Philippine coast guard has also released photographs of the incident. The video of the water cannon attack by the Chinese ship has also been released. These actions of China violate international law and have been criticised by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for being provocative.

However, China rejected the allegation of this attack and counter-alleged that the Philippine fleet had intruded into the ‘Ren’ai Reef’ area. On its website, the Chinese Coast Guard stated that it had thwarted the Philippine intrusion by taking necessary actions. The Philippines and the United States have expressed strong displeasure over this role of China. The US State Department has warned China that it should respect the South China Sea region’s Freedom of Navigation. The United States supported the Philippines and reprimanded China for not having rights and entitlements on the ‘Second Thomas Shoal’.

Furthermore, China is claiming its rights over the entire area of the ‘South China Sea’. Along with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, China has also rejected the claims made by Taiwan regarding this maritime area. In 2016, China was not even ready to accept the International Court of Justice’s decision on the Philippines’ petition. On the contrary, it is China’s policy not to accept the rights of Southeast Asian countries in this sea area. Against this backdrop, China is sending its fishing vessels, patrol vessels and destroyers to the disputed sea area with Southeast Asian countries to exercise control over this maritime zone.

Last month, 48 Chinese fishing vessels tried to intrude into the Philippine waters. The path of the patrol vessels sent to drive away these ships was blocked by the ship of the Chinese Coast Guard. In February, China also pointed a laser light on a Philippine ship patrolling in the West Philippines Sea area.