The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will file a diplomatic protest following the incident of ramming and use of water cannon by the China Coast Guard against Philippine ships near Pag-asa Island.
According to the report, several ships of the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia made dangerous and provocative movements against three Philippine ships this Sunday morning.
Commodore Jay Tarriela said that the Chinese ship with number 21559 directly pumped water into the BRP Datu Pagbuaya and then deliberately collision. The BFAR ship suffered minor damage but none of the crew were injured.
Philippine ships are docked at Pag-asa Island to provide protection to Filipino fishermen as part of the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” program.
The Philippine Coast Guard insists that they will not be intimidated or evicted from the area. Their presence in the Kalayaan Island Group is important to defend the rights and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen.
