PCG honors ship crew blasted with China water cannon

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has recognized the captain and 38 crewmembers of BRP Bagacay who successfully carried out their humanitarian mission to Panatag Shoal last Tuesday despite attempts by the Chinese coast guard to stop them using powerful water cannons.

PCG officer-in-charge Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr. recognized Capt. Jane Gesulgon, the captain of BRP Bagacay, for ensuring the success of the mission as well as the safety of his crew.

Awarded the “Coast Guard Merit Medal and Ribbon” for their courage were the 38 crewmembers of the 44-meter multirole response vessel.

The recognition is given to PCG officers and personnel who take part in “major” Coast Guard missions, according to the PCG.

Punzalan, PCG spokesman and Civil Relations Service commander Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, and PCG’s Metro Manila and Central Luzon district commander Commodore Arnaldo Lim led the awarding of the medals and the inspection of BRP Bagacay docked at Pier 13 of the Manila South Harbor last Thursday.

Bagacay served as escort to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel Bankaw which delivered food and other provisions to Filipino fishermen near the Panatag Shoal last April 30.

The two Filipino ships were blasted with water cannons, with pressure reaching more than 200 pounds per square inch strong enough to make a dent on steel or kill. The water cannon attack caused damage to Bagacay’s superstructure or the main area, as well as to its canopy and LED screens used to flash messages. The water blast also damaged the ship’s rails.

Lim said they might have to spend P2 million to P3 million for repairs of the patrol vessel.

PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Philippines would “expose to the international community… each infringement and provocation by Beijing in the West Philippine Sea… to show how they disrupt the regional stability and blatantly violate the UNCLOS and international law.” 

“The instability and rising tension of South China Sea is rooted in PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) interest and greed,” he said on X.

At an event at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy in San Narciso, Zambales yesterday, Tarriela said it was painful to see the Philippine flag being targeted by the Chinese in their attack on Bagacay and Bankaw last Tuesday.

He also noted that the Chinese were targeting the ships’ communications and navigation equipment. “But definitely, for viewers, to ordinary people witnessing our flag being hit with water cannon is the most painful,” Tarriela stressed.

He reiterated his call for Filipinos to unite and not be swayed by fake news. “Imagine, our flag being hit, our coast guard ship being water cannoned, and yet there are still some Filipinos who justify China’s actions,” he said.

“I’m happy that people are pained by it,” foreign affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza told reporters at the same event, adding that “it is important that we realize that this issue… happening in the West Philippine Sea is an issue of the entire country and not just those from Zambales and nearby areas.” — Michael Punongbayan