China water cannons fail to stop BFAR Panatag trip

MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard ships failed to stop with water cannon attacks two vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) from delivering supplies and provisions to Filipino fishermen in the vicinity of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal yesterday.

The BRP Datu Cabaylo and BRP Datu Sanday were on a routine resupply mission when three CCG vessels and a People’s Liberation Army-Navy ship emerged and made menacing manuevers to stop them. The CCG tried to stop the BFAR vessels with water cannons but failed.

“Notwithstanding the dangerous maneuvers and opening of water cannons, both BFAR vessels were able to resupply the Filipino fisherfolk in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc,” BFAR said in a statement, referring to the Panatag Shoal by its local name.

The BFAR said it was able to supply seven Filipino mother boats and 16 small fishing boats.