Chinese vessels ram Philippines ship near Escoda

MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels yesterday rammed and fired water cannons at the BRP Datu Sanday near Escoda Shoal.

Datu Sanday, a ship operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), was on its way to Escoda Shoal for a humanitarian mission to resupply Filipino fishermen with diesel, food and medical supplies.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said Datu Sanday encountered aggressive and dangerous maneuvers from seven Chinese maritime vessels between Hasa-Hasa and Escoda Shoals.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy ship 626 and multiple CCG ships targeted Datu Sanday in an attempt to encircle and block the humanitarian mission.

Datu Sanday’s engine failed after CCG vessels made close perilous maneuvers, including ramming, horn blasts and deployment of water cannons, the NTF-WPS said.

The incident forced an early termination of the humanitarian mission.

“These unprofessional, aggressive and illegal actions posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were meant to serve. Despite these provocative maneuvers, the crew aboard the BFAR vessel maintains high morale and remains safe and unharmed,” the NTF-WPS said.

“Claims suggesting that our personnel fell overboard and were subsequently rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard are completely unfounded. This fake news and misinformation serves as a clear illustration of the PRC (People’s Republic of China)’s willingness to distort the truth and engage in disinformation to bolster its public image,” it added.

Journalists were aboard Datu Sanday when Chinese ship 21551 rammed and water cannoned the BFAR vessel. Another CCG vessel deployed its water cannon against Datu Sanday.

Five CCG vessels had been surrounding the BFAR ship since 10 a.m. yesterday.

Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal is located approximately 60 nautical miles from Rizal, Palawan, while Escoda (Sabina) Shoal is about 110 nm away, both well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“The Philippine government calls on the People’s Republic of China to halt these provocative actions that destabilize regional peace and security,” the NTF-WPS said.

“The Philippines