More nations voice concern over China’s water cannon attacks

A frame grab from video footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard in 2024 shows its ship, the BRP Bagacay, being hit by water cannon from Chinese coast guard vessels near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Also hit on its way to the shoal was the BRP Bankaw of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (AFP)

 MANILA, Philippines – More foreign missions in the Philippines raised concerns over the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent use of water cannon on Filipino vessels off Zambales, just outside the territorial sea of Bajo de Masinloc.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Australian Ambassador HK Yu again recalled that the 2016 Arbitral Ruling is binding on all parties and that disputes in the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully.

“Australia shares the Philippines’ concerns at China Coast Guard’s use of water cannons against Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal,” she said.

“The Arbitral Award is binding on the parties, and disputes must be resolved peacefully consistent with international law, esp. UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” she added.

The New Zealand Embassy in Manila echoed a similar call and urged parties to resolve disputes in accordance to UNCLOS.

“New Zealand is again concerned to see dangerous maneuvers and the use of water cannons against BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) vessels in the South China Sea,” it said on X.

“We do not want to see safety put at risk like this. Once again, we call for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with UNCLOS.”

The South Korean Embassy in Manila, meanwhile, reaffirmed its support for peace, stability and safety in the South China Sea.

“The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines is concerned about the recent use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against the Philippine vessels around the Scarborough Shoal,” it said Tuesday.

The United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada had issued separate statements calling for respect of international law on Monday.

The BFAR deployed four ships to supply fuel and goods to Filipinos fishing near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal on Friday.

Two of the vessels, BRP Datu Tamblot and BRP Datu Taradapit, were later water cannoned by CCG vessels 4203 and 3105, some 15.6 and 18.1 nautical miles, respectively, off the feature, areas well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. /gsg