The Chinese Coast Guard caused severe damage to a Philippine ship with water cannons

The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) once again fired water cannons at a Filipino ship heading toward the sandbar. Eunjin Chol for a rotation and replenishment (RoRe) mission, which caused “serious damage,” according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“At 06:08 on March 23, 2024, the Chinese Coast Guard Vessel “BN21551” performed a dangerous bow crossing maneuver against the Philippine supply ship Unayzah on May 4. [UM4] “While heading to Ayungin Shoal for a rotation and resupply mission for Filipino soldiers stationed at BRB Sierra Madre.” he wrote France Press agency In a post on Facebook.

“At 07:09, the CCG vessel performed a reverse blocking maneuver against the supply vessel, resulting in a near collision.”“Later, at approximately 07:59, the CCG team began firing water cannons at UM4, deliberately targeting and hitting the supply ship,” he added.

“At 0838 hours, the Philippine supply ship 'Unayzah 4 May' was hit by direct water cannon fire by two CCG ships near the Ayungin Shoal. The supply ship 'UM4' was severely damaged at approximately 08:52 by sustained fire from its water cannons.” For Gulf ships.

Earlier this month, four Philippine Navy personnel were injured after two CCG ships fired a water cannon at the ship “UM4” during an engagement in the West Philippine Sea, which also broke the windshield of the Philippine ship, causing injuries to people… They were on board. According to the Inquirer newspaper.

In a statement accompanied by several videos posted on social media, the Armed Forces of the Philippines indicated that the incident occurred on the Thomas II Sandbar, in the Spratly Islands, an area where similar incidents with boats have occurred in recent months in both countries.

Videos published by the military show how a Chinese ship fired a water cannon at the Philippine ship Unayzah, May 4which was heading towards the Iyunjin sandbar, which is occupied by a Filipino detachment and claimed by the Beijing regime.

According to the Philippine military, the UM4 supply ship sustained “severe damage” from “continuous fire from water cannons from a Chinese Coast Guard ship” and was unable to continue on its course, requiring the assistance of another ship that was in the area.

sea South ChinaEssential to global maritime trade and rich in natural resources, it has recorded several incidents between Chinese and Filipino ships in recent months.

Beijing and Manila are witnessing a struggle over sovereignty over several islands and atolls in these waters, which Beijing claims almost entirely for “historical reasons,” although the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague agreed in 2016 with Manila in a ruling.

In addition to Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei They claim part of this strategic sea, through which 30% of global trade passes and which includes 12% of the world's fishing areas, as well as oil and gas reserves.

(With information from Europa Press and EFE)