West PH Sea: PCG deploys vessels after alleged China helicopter harassment

(Photo courtesy of PCG)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed two of its vessels to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen within Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea after receiving evidence of alleged harassment by a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said a video taken last November 28 was sent to them by those onboard a Filipino fishing boat who witnessed the harassment.

“On November 28, the Philippine Coast Guard received video footage and photographs from a fishing boat that returned to Quezon, Palawan, which captured the harassment of Filipino fishing vessels by a PLA Navy helicopter in Rozul Reef,”  Tarriela said in a statement on Monday.

READ: West Philippine Sea: Large fleet of Chinese ships seen in Pagasa Island

“In response to this situation, the PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, has ordered the deployment of vessels 9702 and 4411 to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen exercising their right to fish freely in Rozul Reef,” he added.

Tarriela pointed out that PCG’s move to deploy the two vessels “aims to provide evidence of the active presence of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.”

He added that Filipino fishing vessels noted an increase in WPS despite the continuous harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard.

READ: West PH Sea: Marcos says Russian submarine sighting ‘very worrisome’

Tarriela also reiterated PCG’s commitment “to safeguarding the rights of fishermen” and that it “stands in support of [the] President’s commitment to uphold the country’s sovereignty, sovereignty rights, and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.”