Posted on 10/19/2024 12:17:04 PM PDT by Retain Mike
A Chinese cutter blasted a Philippine fisheries vessel with its water cannon at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Tuesday morning, officials in Manila said on Tuesday.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, a civilian department meant to assist and regulate Philippine fishing efforts, said two offshore vessels were harassed by two cutters from the China Coast Guard and a warship from the People’s Liberation Army Navy. According to the agency, BRP Datu Cabaylo (MMOV-3001) and BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV-3002) were at Scarborough Shoal to resupply fishermen fishing near the disputed maritime feature.
A video released by Philippine state media provider People’s Television Network depicted the China Coast Guard cutter 3301 deploying its water cannons against Datu Cabaylo. Despite Chinese attempts to impede the Philippine civilian vessels through the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said that their vessels were able to support the country’s fishermen in the area successfully.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Vice Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters of the incident following an Armed Forces of the Philippines presser that revealed the presence of 190 Chinese ships within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, including 28 cutters and warships from the China Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army Navy near Second Thomas, Sabina, and Scarborough Shoals.
This is the latest incident between the two countries over Scarborough Shoal. Known to the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc and by China as Huangyan Dao, the disputed South China Sea maritime feature has been a constant flashpoint since the 2012 standoff, which saw Beijing effectively occupy the shoal.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.usni.org ...
They are now a lose cannon with no one in charge of our government.
May be time for Viet Nam to join the anti Chicom Naval group!
The P.I. needs the US. Worth it to us?
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