PCG Prefers Damage from Chinese Water Cannons Over Retaliation
PCG – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said they prefer enduring Chinese water cannon damages over a counterattack.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, representing the Philippine Coast Guard, underscored the importance of abstaining from retaliating against Chinese water cannon attacks. He highlighted that reciprocating could furnish the Chinese with grounds for escalating tensions.
During a recent incident, the China Coast Guard conducted an aggressive water cannon assault on Philippine vessels involved in a humanitarian mission at Panatag Shoal, resulting in significant damage to the PCG’s BRP Bagacay and the BFAR’s MV Bankaw.
Despite facing social media criticism for perceived timidity, the PCG’s decision to refrain from retaliation has been praised for its calculated restraint.
“I think it’s unfair for the PCG to be labeled as coward, for not using its water cannon. In the first place, if they do really think that the coast guards are cowards, they should have already stopped this (humanitarian missions) in the first place, they should have already stopped publicizing this (Chinese attacks),” he said in an interview over radio dzBB.
According to reports, the pressure from Chinese water cannons surpassed 200 pounds per square inch, presenting a substantial danger capable of causing harm to metal structures and potentially leading to fatalities.
Admiral Ronnie Gavan, commanding officer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), has directed an immediate assessment of the damage incurred by the BRP Bagacay.
Commodore Arnaldo Lim, interim leader of the PCG’s Metro Manila and Central Luzon division, approximated that repairs for the 44-meter vessel, the 10th in the current fleet, might cost between P2 million and P3 million.
Tarriela stressed that the Chinese water cannon attack on Tuesday violated international law and should no longer be considered a “grey zone tactic.” He reiterated the Philippines’ ongoing assertion of the 2016 arbitral ruling, which confirmed the country’s exclusive economic zone and invalidated China’s territorial claims.
“What we need to realize is we need to deescalate the tension and we should not be the reason for China to say ‘see, you’re provoking us by fighting us with water cannons,” he said. This move might embolden the Chinese to dispatch more ships into Philippine waters with heightened assurance.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed that its patrol vessels will exclusively deploy water cannons for firefighting purposes.
READ ALSO: Bongbong Marcos Says Sara Duterte’s Lack Of Commentary On China Is Not An Issue
