MANILA, Philippines â The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship that was directly hit by a China Coast Guard (CCG) water cannon sustained over P2 million in damages.
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo made this confirmation on Thursday, citing the assessment of the captain of BRP Bacagay.
âThe damage in the ship is alarming due to the strong pressure of water,â Balilo told ĂŰĚŇš¤×÷ĘŇ in a text message.
READ: China water cannons 2 PH vessels in Scarborough Shoal anew
On Tuesday, CCG vessels blasted water cannons against PCGâs BRP Bagacay and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resourcesâ BRP Datu Bankaw, causing significant damage.
The shipsâ communication and navigation systems were also hit in the attack.
READ: China used âvery fatalâ water cannon pressure in latest assault â PCG
According to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, BRP Bagacay, which also suffered a direct hit from CCGâs water cannon, sustained damage to its railing and canopy.
Tarriela pointed out that this is the first time the CCG directly hit a PCG vessel, deeming the recent incident as an escalation.
âThis is the first time that we can say that the Coast Guard vessel has been subjected to a direct water cannon with that kind of pressure that even resulted in structural damage,â Tarriela said in a press conference on Wednesday.