At 8:38 a.m. local time, footage from an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle showed a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel using a water cannon on the resupply vessel, the Unaizah May 4 (UM4), during its resupply mission to Second Thomas Island.
However, the AFP said the water cannon blasts from the CCG caused significant damage to the UM4 at 8:52 a.m. local time. The damage appeared to be concentrated in the vessel’s middle section. The blast was so strong that water could be seen coming out of the other side (third video).
The vessel also stopped in the water, indicating the blast caused significant damage to the engine compartment as well.
WATCH | At 08:38 AM, the Philippine supply vessel Unaizah May 4 was subjected to direct water cannoning by two CCG vessels near Ayungin Shoal. The UM4 supply boat sustained heavy damages at around 08:52 due to the continued blasting of water cannons from the CCG vessels. pic.twitter.com/r540s80Qd2
— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) March 23, 2024
