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– The Chinese Coast Guard’s (CCG) use of water cannon against Philippine ships headed toward Ayungin Shoal is seriously concerning, the French ambassador to the Philippines said on Sunday.
The CCG, earlier on Sunday, used water cannons anew on ships that were on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, in a statement, reported that as a result of this incident, the civilian ship M/L Kalayaan was damaged, endangering the lives of its crew.
BRP Cabra was also damaged “after being directly targeted by the full strength of the water cannon” of the CCG.
“Today more than ever France recalls the value of international law to ensure freedom of navigation and is, once again, seriously concerned by the use of water cannons in the Philippine EEZ [Exclusive Economic Zone] to prevent a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre,” French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said in a post on X (formerly twitter) in reaction to the incident.
