NMC, foreign envoys slam China water cannon attack

The National Maritime Council (NMC) and several members of the diplomatic community protested the latest incident near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) where Chinese vessels water cannoned a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel.

- By RAYMUND ANTΟΝΙΟ

"The Philippines condemns the latest illegal and hostile actions of China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels against a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel engaged in a lawful and routine humanitarian mission near Bajo de Masinloc (BDM)," the NMC said in a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

"These illegal and hostile actions by the Chinese vessels caused structural and electrical damage to BRP Datu Gumbay Piang and injury to one of the Filipino crew members. Despite the damage caused, the crew of BRP Datu Gumbay Piang was able to successfully maneuver the vessel to safety and continued its humanitarian mission," it added.