Estrada denounces latest Chinese coast guard attack on BRP vessel
At A Glance
- Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada criticized anew the actions of the China Coast Guard against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' (BFAR) BRP Datu Gumbay Piang saying it is yet another blatant display of China's disregard for international law and the Philippines' sovereign rights over its maritime assets.
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Wednesday, September 17 criticized anew the actions of the China Coast Guard against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Datu Gumbay Piang saying it is yet another blatant display of China’s disregard for international law and the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its maritime assets.
Estrada was referring to the CCG’s use of water cannons against the BFAR personnel and the BRP vessel itself that was on a humanitarian mission in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea, as it also compromised the safety of the Filipinos aboard the vessel.
Based on reports, a BFAR personnel was injured during the incident which occurred on Tuesday, September 16. Moreover, the water cannon attack damaged the rear bridge of BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, as well as two air conditioning units, two glass windows, radio communications and internet connection systems.
“Such hostile actions have no place in the civilized world. This must be denounced without equivocation,” Estrada said.
“Atin ang Bajo de Masinloc, kaya’t may karapatan ang ating mga tripulante na magsagawa ng misyon para sa ating mga mangingisda. Hindi mabubura ng kanilang paggigipit at pananakot ang katotohanang nasa panig natin ang batas at kinatigan tayo ng Arbitral Tribunal sa pagtatanggol ng ating mga karapatan (Bajo de Masinloc is ours, so our crew has the right to carry out a mission for our fishermen. Their harassment and intimidation cannot erase the fact that the law is on our side and the Arbitral Tribunal has sided with us in defending our rights),” he stressed.
Estrada also called on the international community to take serious note of this latest provocation.
“I, likewise, call on our government to pursue all necessary diplomatic and legal measures, and to stand firmly with the crew of the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang,” he said.
“Their courage reflects our collective resolve to never yield an inch of what is rightfully ours,” the lawmaker stressed.