Chinese ships harass PH fishers, challenge PCG plane at Scarborough

ABOVE THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, March 19 ------ Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal were harassed by vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia, prompting the government to deploy additional assets.

In videos shared to ABS-CBN News, Filipino fishing boats were seen being shadowed and subjected to dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese vessels in different locations outside the shoal, a traditional fishing ground in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Among those involved were CCG ships with bow numbers 21605, 3107, and 3103, and one Chinese maritime militia vessel.

According to Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, the situation escalated as Filipino fishing boats moved closer to Bajo de Masinloc. “At some point, when they got closer to Bajo de Masinloc at a distance of 7.8 nautical miles, the CCG deployed a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to escort our Filipino fishermen,” Tarriela said in a phone interview on Wednesday.

While no water cannons were used, Tarriela still described the encounters as dangerous. “They were very close sa mga mangingisda. You can just imagine that these are wooden fishing boats and they have to deal with a 130-meter CCG vessel made of steel. It’s still dangerous,” the official stressed.

In response, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources deployed vessels to the area to ensure the safety of Filipino fishers and provide assistance amid rising fuel prices. Tarriel said BRP Cape San Agustin and BRP Cabra are expected in the area by Wednesday afternoon. "On the part of the BFAR, they will also deploy their boats. As a matter of fact, eight BFAR vessels will be arriving to provide assistance and ensure the safety of our Filipino fishermen.”

RADIO CHALLENGES FROM PLA AIR FORCE

On Wednesday morning, the PCG conducted a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight over Bajo de Masinloc, where it monitored ten Chinese vessels. Tarriela said five CCG ships, three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warships, and two Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted outside the shoal. “At the same time, we also documented again the buoys na binagsak ng China in the middle of Scarborough Shoal and one located up north of the shoal,” he added.

A team from ABS-CBN News was among those who joined the MDA flight. While flying to the area, the PCG Cessna Caravan was challenged not only by the PLA-N, but also by the PLA-Air Force. According to Tarriela, such incidents are not new, although previous challenges were typically issued by naval ships rather than aircraft.

In response, PCG pilots asserted that they were conducting a routine and lawful maritime patrol over Bajo de Masinloc, which is within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. “Our pilots also highlight the fact that they do [China does] not have indisputable sovereignty, and emphasize the 2016 Arbitral Award, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” Tarriela added.

The official also assured the sustained deployment of Philippine vessels, underscoring the government’s commitment to prioritizing the security and safety Filipino fishermen, and asserting the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. “Despite the oil price increase, we are not going to compromise our presence in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com