Binomba ng water cannon at saka ginitgit ng Chinese Coast Guard ang dalawang research vessels ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sa Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) sa West Philippine Sea noong Huwebes, Mayo 22, 2025.
Ayon sa ulat, magsasagawa ng scientific mission ang BRO Datu Sanday at BRP Datu Pagbuaya upang mangalokta raw ng sand samples para sa kanilang marine scientific research initiatives.
Batay naman sa pahayag ng BFAR noong Huwebes, nagtamo ng iba’t ibang pinsala sa kanilang barko ang panggigipit umano na ginawa ng China.
“At approximately 0913H, CCG vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) twice, resulting in some damage to the latter’s port bow and smokestack, and putting at risk lives of its civilian personnel onboard,” anang BFAR.
Atty. Chel Diokno, benepisyaryo daw ng confidential funds ni VP Sara?
Dagdag pa nito, “This incident marks the first time water cannons have been used against DA-BFAR research vessels in the area of the Pag-Asa Cays.”
Samantala, iginiit naman ni Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela na ito raw ang kauna-unahang pagkakataong nakaranas ng panggigipit ang BFAR mula sa pwersa ng CCG sa West Philippine Sea.
“This is the first time that a Philippine vessel from the BFAR experienced water cannon inside the territorial sea of Pagasa while conducting marine scientific research,” ani Tarriela.
Nanindigan din siya na hindi raw titigil ang Pilipinas sa mga operasyong ikinakasa nito sa sariling karagatan.
“We have sovereignty over these waters and despite their harassments and bullying, it will not stop us in doing these operations,” anang PCG spokesperson.
