PCG: We use water cannons to put out fire, not to chase away Chinese vessels

‘EXCESSIVE AND UNLAWFUL ACTIONS’ An aerial photo from a diplomatic source shows a China Coast Guard vessel shooting a powerful stream of water at a boat operated by Philippine Navy.

MANILA, Philippines — In light of water cannon attack by China Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine vessels, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has no plans of retaliating by using the same tactics and devices against Chinese ships.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said this in a press briefing.

Tarriela said PCG would rather use water cannons to put out the blaze during disasters and emergencies.

“Unlike the Chinese Coast Guard, we’re not going to use that (water cannons) to drive away the China Coast Guard,” he said.

“We intend to use that in firefighting whenever there is a maritime accident at sea,” he explained.

China Coast Guard had used water cannons against PCG vessels that were escorting Philippine boats.

The boats were delivering food, water, fuel, and other supplies to military troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in West Philippine Sea on Saturday.

This was not the first time such a hostility occurred.

In 2014, Chinese vessels had also used water cannons against Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal, also known as Scarborough Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc in WPS.

China’s actions are anchored on its assertion that it owns almost all of the areas in South China Sea, including WPS.

But Philippines challenged China’s nine-dash line claim before the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The Court invalidated Beijing’s sweeping assertions.

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