TENSION BETWEEN CHINA AND PHILIPPINES

The China Coast Guard once again water bombed some Philippine ships in Ayungin shoal in the middle of delivering supplies to the Filipinos who are guarding the BRP Sierra Madre.

China Coast Guard water cannoned the supply ship Unaizah may 4 in the middle of rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin shoal. According to AFP, Unaizah may 4 was deliberately chased and targeted by the water cannon and tried to avoid it several times.

Later on, not just one but two Chinese ships are pumping water. According to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, the CCG ship’s dangerous blocking maneuvers caused a minor collision. 

Four Unaizah personnel were injured in the incident. The windows of the pilot house were also damaged, the wooden wall also had holes. So, the Unaizah may 4 was forced to return to Palawan.

2 Chinese ships use water cannon to Philippine ship (Photo courtesy of PCG/ABS CBN News)

Before that incident, the BRP Sindangan, which is one of the Philippine Coast Guard, was attacked by the CCG, hitting the ship so close, some Chinese troop were taking video.

Amid China’s pressure, BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio del Pilar, are observing from a distance of ten nautical miles. In the end, the Unaizah may 1 managed to get through and successfully deliver supplies and personnel to the stranded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin.  

Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad Spokesperson of Philippine Navy for the West Philippine Sea state that, “I would consider China a clear and present challenge to the Philippine Navy and the West Philippine Sea. This situation is not any more normal, but we are after the challenge.”

The incident was condemned by the ambassador of America and the United Kingdom. The ambassadors of Germany, Japan, Australia, and the European Union also expressed concern.

But according to the China Coast Guard, the Philippines ship deliberately collided with one of their ships, the Philippines is said to be responsible for the incident. Its words are also said to be deceptive and incite trouble in the region. The CCG insisted, the Philippines violated its promise by sending ships to illegally deliver transport supplies.

“We are not the ones raising tension here, they are the ones raising the tension. We do not respond to aggression and bullying from Chinese Coast Guard, so we just take whatever they’re doing,” Commodore Jay Tarriela PCG Spokesperson said. 

The Philippines insists that the Chines ships must leave the Ayungin shoal which is part of our exclusive economic zone and continental shift.

Since President Bongbong Marcos took governance, the number of protests filed by the Philippines against China has reached 142.

Source: GMA News

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