The Philippine Coast Guard says it monitored China Coast Guard vessels, People's Liberation Army Navy warships, and Chinese maritime militia vessels 'which aimed to obstruct BFAR’s efforts to provide support and subsidies to Filipino fishermen'

A China Coast Guard ship used water cannons on Philippine government vessels distributing aid to Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc on Friday, June 20.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a post on X on Friday that Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Datu Tamblot, BRP Datu Taradapit, BRP Datu Bankaya, and BRP Datu Daya, with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel went to Panatag Shoal (also called Scarborough Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc) that morning to distribute fuel subsidies to over 20 local fishing boats.

“However, at approximately 10:00 AM, BRP Datu Taradapit faced aggressive maneuvers from the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-4203, which approached within 600 yards and fired a water cannon from 15.6 nautical miles southwest of Panatag Shoal,” Tarriela said.

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