Chinese navy harasses vessels

Manila – The Philippines said yesterday that China Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine vessels and water cannoned a boat, leaving four crew injured during a resupply mission in the South China Sea.

The incidents happened in waters around Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands where the countries have contesting maritime claims.

A Philippine government task force said in a statement that “China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons and executed dangerous manoeuvres in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply mission”.

The China Coast Guard said it “took control measures” against Philippine ships’ “illegal intrusion” in waters around Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands, using the Chinese names for the Shoal and Spratly Islands.

The BRP Sindangan, along with a sister ship, had been deployed to support the military chartered Unaizah May 4 and Unaizah May 1 boats carrying replacement soldiers and supplies to Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino troops are stationed on a grounded Philippine navy vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre.

Four crew on board the Unaizah May 4 were injured when two China Coast Guard ships simultaneously fired water cannon at it, shattering the windshield, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said.

It said a China Coast Guard vessel also caused a “minor collision” with the Unaizah May 4, which turned back to shore without delivering its cargo.

Earlier in the morning, the task force added, a China Coast Guard vessel caused a separate “minor collision” with one of the Philippine Coast Guard ships that was escorting the supply boats.

China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu accused the Philippine Coast Guard ship of “intentially” ramming the Chinese boat, causing a “minor scrape”.

The Unaizah May 1 was able to unload its provisions. – AFP