Chinese Coast Guard Confrontation: Water Cannon Attack Near Scarborough Shoal

In the latest escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels targeted Philippine civilian vessels bound for Scarborough Shoal with water cannons, damaging the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel, BRP Bagacay, and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Bankaw. The incident occurred as the vessels were en route to deliver food and fuel to fishermen in the region. Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, stated that the water cannon assaults by two large CCG vessels demonstrate the intense pressure used to harass Philippine vessels. Despite encountering risky maneuvers and obstacles from CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels, the PCG and BFAR vessels continued their mission. Tarriela highlighted that the CCG had reinstated a floating barrier obstructing access to Scarborough Shoal. Chinese state media reported the expulsion of Philippine ships from the area, prompting China's ministry spokesperson Lin Jin to urge the Philippines to cease provocations. The incident reflects ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial claims in the South China Sea, despite previous efforts to manage conflicts. China's expansive claims in the region conflict with those of neighboring nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, with a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissing China's claims as lacking a legal basis.

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