As our ships raced towards Scarborough Shoal, tensions escalated as a larger Chinese vessel closed in on us. Both crews stood face to face, capturing the intense encounter on film.
Onboard the Philippines coast guard vessel BRP Bagacay, the atmosphere was tense. Yellow foam barriers were hastily hung over the sides in preparation for a potential collision. Suddenly, the Chinese ship swerved sharply in front of us, forcing our captain to slam on the brakes. The two ships were mere meters apart.
With Scarborough Shoal just ahead, tensions rose further as more Chinese vessels joined the fray. At one point, there were a staggering ten ships from the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia.
Our Filipino captain relied on the agility of our Japanese-made vessel to outmaneuver the Chinese, bringing us within 600 meters of the shoal – the closest we had ever been. But our progress was impeded by a newly installed barrier beneath the water’s surface, strategically placed by the Chinese.
As the Chinese ships closed in, they unleashed powerful water cannons upon us, forcing us to take refuge inside the ship. The sound of water pounding against the metal hull was deafening. The damage was evident, with our awning torn apart and railings mangled.
The situation was dire for the second ship in our convoy, which sustained even greater damage from the relentless barrage of water cannon fire.
These confrontations in the South China Sea are not new, but they have grown increasingly frequent and serious since President Bongbong Marcos authorized a more assertive stance against Chinese presence in disputed areas.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the West Philippines Sea, emphasized the significance of challenging China’s claims and asserting Filipino sovereignty in the region.
Our mission, officially aimed at delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen and asserting our claim to Scarborough Shoal, was part of this robust response. Despite the intimidation of facing numerous Chinese ships, our resolve remained firm.
President Marcos’s stance has garnered support from US President Joe Biden, and the Philippines has bolstered its armed forces modernization efforts in response.
The encounter with Chinese vessels ended with their claim of successfully driving us out of their territorial waters. While we did retreat, it was only to regroup and assist our damaged companion ship.
Although we remained outside of China’s “red line,” we were still well within their expansive “nine-dash line” claim in the South China Sea. However, with the successful delivery of aid to Filipino fishermen, the Philippine coast guard considers the mission a triumph against China’s aggressive tactics.
