PCG rescues 8 fishers in boat explosion at Panatag Shoal

‘SWIFT RESCUE’ These two fishermen among the eight rescued at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sustained second-degree burns after a faulty battery caused their boat engine to explode. —photo courtesy of PCG

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued eight fishermen on Saturday after the engine of their motorized boat exploded at Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal).

According to the PCG, vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) initially tried to block one of its ships but eventually offered to help in the rescue operations through the intervention of the PCG’s all-female unit Angels of the Sea.

PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said the engine of fishing boat Akio exploded before noon of Saturday due to a faulty battery.

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The PCG’s BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) was immediately directed to respond and assist the fishermen, two of whom sustained second-degree burns, on their sinking boat, some 31 kilometers (17 nautical miles) southwest of Bajo de Masinloc.

Balilo said the Sindangan then received radio challenges and also experienced shadowing and initial blocking by the Chinese ships.

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“The CCG and PLA-N vessels stopped shadowing our ship when they were informed by the Angel[s] of the Sea on board about the humanitarian mission,” he added.

He said the CCG then launched two rigid hull inflatable boats and offered to help the eight fishermen of the Akio.

“In times of emergencies, the safety of life should always be our priority. The PCG and CCG communicated in a diplomatic manner and set aside issues [of] sovereignty in the spirit of humanitarianism,” Balilo said.

PCG Commandant CG Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said “the swift rescue operation proves the significance of our constant presence at Bajo de Masinloc.”

‘Legal right’

“We will not elevate tension, but we will remain firm on our mission to ensure the safety of lives at sea,” he added.

The Sindangan, towing the half-submerged fishing boat, arrived at Subic Bay, Zambales province, on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Sunday called on the government to ensure the protection of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, the country’s top organization of lawyers said its governing board adopted a unanimous position citing international law that “Filipino fishermen have the legal right to go fishing” within the country’s exclusive economic zone and “the Philippine government is duty-bound to provide protection to our fishermen inside this zone.”

Also citing the 1987 Constitution, IBP said the government “is duty-bound to provide protection to our fishermen inside this zone.” —with a report from Jane Bautista