China harasses PH boat, first incident for 2026

A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship harassed a Philippine fishing boat about 30 kilometers (16 nautical miles)southeast of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Monday. Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said on Tuesday that the captain of fishing boat Prince LJ noted the presence of a People’s Liberation Army-Navy warship in the area and changed course. However, the CCG vessel with hull no. 23521 came as close as 30 meters to the fishing boat, blocking its path. The PCG’s BRP Cape San Agustin came to the Filipino fishermen’s aid by staying with their boat for a few hours. “I would say this is the first harassment incident in the year 2026,” said Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the WPS. —JOHN ERIC MENDOZA