PCG offered help after CCG vessel collided with Chinese navy warship
SCREENGRAB FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD’S VIDEO HANDOUT
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed Tuesday that it offered search-and-rescue and medical assistance to a damaged China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel after it collided with a Chinese warship near Bajo de Masinloc.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said BRP Suluan and BRP Teresa Magbanua contacted both the CCG and the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessel after the collision to know if help was needed.
“We offered assistance because we have a medical team on board,” Tarriela said, noting videos showed four CCG personnel at the bow before impact who were no longer visible afterward.
The collision happened on Monday as BRP Suluan was on a humanitarian mission to provide fuel and supplies to Filipino fishermen in the area. The Philippine ship was water cannoned and shadowed by the two Chinese vessels.
Tarriela said videos showed “four Chinese Coast Guard personnel in front of the China Coast Guard vessel… and then immediately after impact, we did not see four people in front of the ship. So that is the reason why the Philippine Coast Guard offered our assistance, because we were assuming that someone went overboard because of the impact.”
READ: Chinese ships collide off Scarborough Shoal; PH Coast Guard offers aid
He added that the damaged Chinese vessel, identified as CCG 3104, was seen being towed away from the shoal by another Chinese Coast Guard ship last night.
“It does not have any more capability to run on its own unless it is towed all the way,” Tarriela said.
He said the PCG has not received any official confirmation from Beijing of casualties, but Chinese ships were observed launching small boats and conducting search patterns in the area after the collision.
Tarriela emphasized that the PCG was not at fault. “We have long warned the Chinese Coast Guard that dangerous maneuvers could lead to accidents,” he said. “We will continue to patrol our waters and ensure the safety of our fishermen.” /jpv
