China uses water cannons to damage Philippine ships at Scarborough Shoal

On Wednesday, Chinese Coast Guard vessels escalated tensions in the South China Sea by using 'very fatal' water cannon pressure against Philippine civilian ships during a supply mission to Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday.

The Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Bagacay and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship BRP Bankaw faced renewed harassment from at least 10 Chinese vessels, with four CCG vessels and six maritime militia vessels blocking their passage.

Water cannons hit both ships, damaging the BRP Bagacay's canopy and steel railing while the BRP Bankaw was struck by a floating barrier and water cannon from CCG-3305, causing damage to its heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, navigation, and radio systems.

National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said this is the first time such direct water cannon attacks have caused structural damage to a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, highlighting China's 'lack of concern for regional peace and stability.'

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday summoned Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong over the recent water cannon incident in Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, protesting harassment and demanding that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately.

For this year alone, the Philippines has lodged 20 diplomatic protests against China as of April, with a total of 153 under the Marcos administration since taking office.