Experiencing the Wrath of China’s Water Cannons

The Filipino fishermen aboard our wooden boats enthusiastically greeted our Philippine fisheries vessel from just a stone’s throw away, yet an ominous stillness permeated our ship. We found ourselves encircled by the imposing presence of two Chinese Coast Guard ships and five Chinese militia vessels.

Then, without warning, the water cannon unleashed its fury.

From one of the Chinese Coast Guard ships, a high-intensity water jet erupted, aimed squarely at our vessel, preventing any attempt to approach the Filipino fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal, an expanse of reefs and rocks situated 140 miles west of the Philippines. The force of the water struck our boat with seismic intensity, rocking it as if caught in the throes of a maritime earthquake. “Emergency!” bellowed Armando Hachuela, the captain of our ship, urgently directing the crew and journalists on deck to seek refuge inside. “Inside, now!” he commanded, as the relentless water assault continued.

As we scrambled for cover inside the confines of the vessel, the deafening roar of the water cannon persisted, creating an atmosphere of chaos and vulnerability. The once tranquil sea had transformed into a battleground, the relentless waves crashing against our boat like the unforgiving hand of an unseen adversary.

Inside, the crew and journalists clung to whatever stability they could find, the ship swaying violently with each forceful impact. Fear and tension hung thick in the air as we grappled with the realization that our pursuit of the Scarborough Shoal’s rich fishing grounds had ignited a perilous confrontation with the Chinese authorities.

Through the windows, we glimpsed the unwavering resolve of the Filipino fishermen on their wooden boats, still within sight but now seemingly distant and unreachable. Their friendly waves had been replaced by desperate gestures, their pleas drowned out by the relentless assault of the water cannon.

Captain Hachuela, a seasoned mariner weathered by years of navigating these contentious waters, barked orders to secure hatches and brace for the unpredictable onslaught. The crew moved with a sense of urgency, their faces reflecting a mix of determination and anxiety.