Chinese Naval Forces Block Filipino Humanitarian Mission Near Hasa-Hasa Shoal
On August 25, Chinese naval forces conducted dangerous maneuvers near Hasa-Hasa Shoal, also known as Half Moon Shoal. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS) reported that the BRP Datu Sanday, a vessel from the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), encountered eight Chinese maritime forces while on a mission to deliver supplies to Filipino fishermen.
The Chinese vessels aimed to obstruct the BFAR vessel’s humanitarian mission, which included delivering diesel, food, and medical supplies. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) 626 and multiple China Coast Guard (CCG) ships attempted to encircle and block the BRP Datu Sanday. The CCG vessels made perilous maneuvers, including ramming, blasting horns, and deploying water cannons, which led to the BFAR vessel’s engine failure and forced an early termination of the mission.
Hasa-Hasa Shoal is located approximately 60 nautical miles from Rizal, Palawan, and Escoda Shoal is about 110 nautical miles away, both within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The aggressive actions of the Chinese naval forces posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and fishermen near Half Moon Shoal. Despite these provocative maneuvers, the crew on the BFAR vessel remained safe and unharmed.
The NTFWPS also addressed misinformation, stating, “Claims suggesting that our personnel fell overboard and were subsequently rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard are completely unfounded. This misinformation serves as a clear illustration of the PRC’s willingness to distort the truth and engage in disinformation to bolster its public image.”
The Philippine government called upon the People’s Republic of China to halt these provocative actions that destabilize regional peace and security. The Philippines remains steadfast in asserting its rights as per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Doubts Revealed
Chinese Naval Forces -: These are the military ships and sailors of China, a country in Asia. They protect China’s waters and sometimes get involved in disputes.
Filipino -: This term refers to people or things from the Philippines, a country made up of many islands in Southeast Asia.
Humanitarian Mission -: This is a task or journey to help people in need, like giving food, water, or medical supplies.
Hasa-Hasa Shoal -: A shoal is a shallow place in the sea. Hasa-Hasa Shoal is a specific shallow area in the South China Sea, near the Philippines.
BRP Datu Sanday -: This is the name of a ship from the Philippines. ‘BRP’ stands for ‘Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas,’ which means ‘Ship of the Republic of the Philippines.’
Maritime Forces -: These are the parts of a country’s military that operate in the sea, like navy ships and sailors.
Ramming -: This means hitting something very hard with a vehicle, like a ship crashing into another ship on purpose.
Water Cannons -: These are devices that shoot strong jets of water, often used to push things away or control crowds.
Engine Failure -: This means the engine, which makes the ship move, stopped working.
International Law -: These are rules that countries agree to follow so they can get along and solve problems peacefully.
