Ched Rick Gatchalian

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PCG 'refuses' to use water cannon as China may ‘justify’ next level of aggression

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755080726726viber_image_2025-08-11_20-39-23-921.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. <em>Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said they “refuse” to use their own water cannon against China to avoid giving the latter the opportunity to “justify the next level of aggression.”</p><p>Tarriela explained this to reporters after the House West Philippine Sea (WPS) bloc’s screening of the documentary “Food Delivery: Fresh from the Philippine Sea,” which tackles the lives of fisherfolk working affected by the conflict at the WPS.</p><p>During a panel discussion at the screening, Tarriela was asked why the Philippines has not taken &quot;revenge&quot; and employed the same tactics as the China Coast Guard (CCG).</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/22/china-coast-guard-used-water-cannoned-sideswiped-ph-research-vessel-bfar-1652">Philippines says China Coast Guard fired water cannon, &#x27;sideswiped&#x27; govt vessel</a></div><p>When the media followed up on this, Tarriela answered: “Ang tanong kasi natin diyan is what is the strategic objective? Why are we going to do that? I’ve always highlighted kung ang ating mga kababayang Pilipino every time na nararamdaman natin ‘yung galit every time na wina-water cannon tayo, just imagine ‘yung pagtitimpi rin ng ating mga personnel na nandoon mismo sa loob ng barko.”</p><p>Tarriela also stressed the importance of maintaining the “moral high ground” to show other countries that China is “bullying” the Philippines.</p><p>“We also have our own water cannon, but we refuse to use that kasi the moment you use that, you’re going to get an opportunity for the People’s Republic of China to justify the next level of aggression. So we don’t need to give such opportunity. We have to maintain the moral high ground to show the international community na China ang nambu-bully,” Tarriela said.</p><p>On Monday, a collision occurred involving two Chinese vessels and a Filipino patrol boat near Bajo de Masinloc in the WPS.</p><p>According to Tarriela, there is a possibility of injuries among CCG crew.</p><p>“We reported that there is a possibility of injured Chinese Coast Guard crew because based on the video that we released, mayroong apat na tao sa unahan, but right after the impact, hindi na natin sila nakita. That’s actually the reason why the Philippine Coast Guard immediately contacted them through radio offering assistance to conduct search and rescue and also to provide medical assistance,” Tarriela said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/2-chinese-ships-collide-after-chasing-philippine-vessel-in-bajo-de-masinloc-pcg-1102">2 Chinese vessels collide while chasing Philippine boat in Bajo de Masinloc: PCG</a></div><p>When asked about how Congress could help them in relation to the WPS, Tarriela answered “more vessels” as fisherfolk said they appreciate the presence of the PCG.</p><p>And following pleas from fisherfolk during the screening for the Philippine government to speak with China so they could be allowed to sail to Scarborough Shoal, Tarriela said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been active in “engaging China diplomatically.”</p><p>“Ang atin namang gobyerno never stopped engaging the People’s Republic of China. I think the Department of Foreign Affairs has been very active in engaging China diplomatically, so that is something na ginagawa pa rin ng ating pamahalaan,” Tarriela said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>AMENDING CONSTITUTION FOR WPS</strong></div><p>When asked if he was open to a constitutional convention, especially if this means including the WPS in the constitution, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno of the WPS bloc said there are more important matters that need attention at this time.</p><p>“Ang Akbayan matagal nang kasama sa plataporma natin ‘yung pagbabago ng konstitusyon. Ang tanong ngayon ay is now the right time to change the constitution? Sa tingin ko po ay mas marami tayong dapat tugunan na mga problema, problema sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin. Kasama doon ‘yung food security natin, ‘yung problema ng ating mga manggagawa, problema ng edukasyon, problema ng access to affordable health care bago natin pag-usapan ‘yung constitutional amendment o ‘yung tinatawag na cha-cha. Pero darating din dapat tayo sa panahon na ‘yun,” Diokno said.</p><p>Diokno added, with the documentary, he is hoping lawmakers are given a look at the lives of fisherfolk at the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“Ang nais po namin ay malaman ng lahat lalong lalo ng mga mambabatas kung ano ba talaga ‘yung mga buhay ng mga kasama nating mangingisda, kasama natin sa pamahalaan diyan sa West Philippine Sea,” Diokno said.</p>

<p>Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said they “refuse” to use their own water cannon against China to avoid giving the latter the opportunity to “justify the next level of aggression.”</p>

Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said they “refuse” to use their own water cannon against China to avoid giving the latter the opportunity to “justify the next level of aggression.”

PCG 'refuses' to use water cannon as China may 'justify' next level of aggression

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PCG 'refuses' to use water cannon as China may 'justify' next level of aggression

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 13, 2025 06:30 PM PHT

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