Coast Guard, BFAR carry out WPS aid mission amid China harassment
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said nine China Coast Guard vessels were monitored near Bajo de Masinloc while the PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) carried out their “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” (KBBM) mission. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said Chinese vessels continue to harass Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) , as Beijing claimed it had taken “control measures” against multiple Philippine government ships in the area.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said nine China Coast Guard vessels were monitored near the shoal, while the PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) carried out their “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” (KBBM) mission.
“Nine Chinese vessels have been reported in the area, engaging in aggressive actions against both fishermen and PCG and BFAR vessels,” Tarriela said. “In light of these challenges, the PCG and BFAR remain committed to prioritizing the safety of Filipino fishermen,” he added. The government is expected to deliver about 35,000 liters of fuel and purchase around 20 tons of fish to support more than 35 fishing boats through the program, which also provides ice and a ready market for catch.
In a statement carried by Chinese state media Global Times, China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu accused Manila of organizing “over 10 government ships” that “illegally intruded into the territorial waters” of China from multiple directions.
Gan said Chinese ships issued loudspeaker warnings, used water cannons, and claimed a Philippine vessel “intentionally rammed” a Chinese coast guard ship in what he called “an unprofessional and dangerous manner.”
Two PCG vessels, BRP Gabriela Silang and BRP Cabra, escorted the aid mission, which distributed fuel and ice to more than 35 fishing boats.
A government-chartered vessel, MV Mamalakaya, also bought fish from boats that had reached storage capacity so they could continue fishing trips.
Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, lies 124 nautical miles off Zambales and has been under Chinese control since 2012.
The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling affirmed Filipino fishermen’s right to fish in the area, but Chinese vessels have repeatedly used blocking maneuvers and water cannons to restrict their access. /gsg
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