PCG patrols resume despite latest China water blasts

Despite another incident of water cannon blasts hitting a Philippine ship and a warning of live fire drill by China near Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vowed to continue upholding the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and ensure the safety of fisherfolk venturing into the area.

- By GHIO ONG

In line with orders from President Marcos, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) would sustain their patrols in the West Philippine Sea, according to PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues Commodore Jay Tarriela.

Last Sept. 16, two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships blasted their water cannons on BFAR ship BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, while a warship from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) — Navy announced via radio that it would conduct a live fire drill at an area east of Panatag Shoal but did not push through.

Both incidents occurred while the PCG and the BFAR were carrying out the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” or KBBM program, wherein 10 BFAR ships and two PCG ships, as well as M/V Mamalakaya delivered around 35,000 liters of fuel, ice and grocery supplies to Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal, while the BFAR purchased an estimated 20 tons of their fresh catch.

The Philippines filed yesterday a diplomatic protest against China over its water cannoning of a BFAR vessel that injured a Filipino crew member near Bajo de Masinloc.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the protest was lodged Thursday but no further details were provided.

“Protest has been filed today,” said DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona.