Philippines says China is “distorting the truth” again on its water cannon attack against BFAR vessel

The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) accused China of “distorting the truth” again concerning its latest “aggressive maneuvers” on a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that the Philippines deployed for a “humanitarian mission” near Escoda Shoal.

In a statement on Sunday, the NTF-WPS narrated its own version of events. It said the incident involved the BFAR’s BRP Datu Sanday, which encountered eight Chinese vessels while en route from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal on August 25, 2024.

During the mission, the BRP Datu Sanday was blocked by a combination of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels, including a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship and multiple China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, according to the task force.

“The CCG vessels made close perilous maneuvers that resulted in ramming, blasted horns, and deployed water cannons against the BFAR vessel, eventually leading to the latter’s engine failure and forcing an early termination of the humanitarian operation,” the statement read.

The Chinese vessels’ actions were aimed at preventing the BFAR ship from resupplying Filipino fishermen with essential supplies such as diesel, food, and medical aid. The NTF-WPS described these moves as “unprofessional, aggressive, and illegal.”

The task force also dismissed Beijing’s claims that a Filipino crew had fallen overboard and were rescued by the CCG. It said these false reports are part of China’s broader strategy to distort the truth and manipulate public perception.

“This fake news and misinformation serve as a clear illustration of the PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) willingness to distort the truth and engage in disinformation to bolster its public image,” the NTF-WPS said.

The incident occurred within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), approximately 60 nautical miles from Hasa-Hasa Shoal and 110 nautical miles from Escoda or Sabina Shoal.

The Philippine government reiterated its commitment to defending its territorial rights and called on China to cease actions that threaten regional stability.

Manila also urged Beijing to adhere to international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which supports the Philippines’ claims in the WPS.