The Chinese coast guard on Sunday launched water cannons at Philippine ships in the disputed shoal area of the South China Sea and rammed one of them, causing serious damage to the ship’s engine and threatening the lives of the Philippine crew. Done.
Philippine officials gave this information. Officials claimed China had carried out similar actions a day earlier in a similar disputed shoal. The Philippines and its treaty ally the US immediately condemned the latest confrontation near Second Thomas Shoal.
Here, two Philippine Navy-operated supply boats and two Philippine Coast Guard escort ships departed to deliver food and other supplies to long-deployed Philippine forces.
A naval ship is stranded here which acts as a regional post. The Philippine government task force dealing with this border dispute said, “We once again condemn China’s latest unprovoked act and dangerous maneuver against a legitimate and regular Philippine supply mission, which has threatened the lives of our people in the shoal.” Have put it in.”
Philippine officials said the Chinese coast guard’s high-pressure water cannon disabled and seriously damaged the engine of its vessel M/L Kalayaan, which had to be towed back to the western Philippine province of Palawan. He said that this action put the lives of the crew members on board the ship in serious danger.
The bow of the BRP Cabra, one of the two Philippine Coast Guard escort ships, was damaged by the splash of water, he said.
Another supply vessel was hit by a Chinese coast guard ship, but still managed to get away and deliver supplies to Philippine marines at Second Thomas Shoal.
Drone video and photos released by the Philippine Coast Guard appear to show two Chinese coast guard ships, the BRP Cabra, and a small supply boat being fired upon at close range. “The systematic and consistent manner in which China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions calls into question the sincerity of its call for peace talks and raises serious doubts,” the Philippines said.
The Chinese coast guard said it “enforced control in accordance with law and regulations” on Sunday against two Philippine coast guard vessels, including an official ship and a supply ship, that were attempting to deliver construction materials to Second Thomas Shoal. Were.
China did not give details of the steps taken in the statement but said the Philippines’ actions “seriously violated China’s sovereignty.” Chinese coast guard spokesman Gan Yu described China’s action as ‘reasonable, legal and professional’ and said such actions would continue.
This action of China was strongly condemned by foreign diplomats present in Manila, including the ambassadors of the US, European Union and Japan.
US Ambassador to Manila Marieke Carlson said her country “stands with the Philippines and strongly condemns China’s repeated illegal and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels.”
Both countries make their own claims on the disputed area and as part of this effort, Chinese ships have stopped the movement of Philippine supply boats in the disputed area. The dispute between China and the Philippines has been escalating and these incidents have given rise to fears of armed conflict.
The United States has pledged to defend its treaty ally in the event of an armed attack on Philippine security forces. In Saturday’s confrontation, the Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships also fired water cannons at three Philippine fishing vessels to prevent them from approaching Scarborough Shoal in disputed waters off the northwestern Philippines.
That attack caused “severe damage” to communications and navigation equipment on one of the three vessels belonging to the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, officials said. Philippines, America and Japan condemned it. A Philippine government task force dealing with territorial disputes said on Saturday, “We call on the Chinese government to take immediate action to stop these aggressive activities and to uphold the principles of international law and violate Philippine sovereignty.” Stay away from actions that endanger the lives and livelihood of fishermen and fishermen of the country.”