'Dangerous maneuvers' performed by CCG while PH installs more floating devices in WPS

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) successfully conducted three-day Floating Aggregate Device (FAD)-laying operations in Hasa Hasa and Kanduli Shoals in the West Philippine Sea.

That's despite radio challenges and dangerous maneuvers from four Chinese Coast Guard vessels during the operation.

“Our crew, especially the radio operators, responded with professionalism and composure, successfully maintaining our maritime presence with dignity and courage,” said the PCG in a statement released on Wednesday.

The coast guard added that there are now 20 FADs deployed in the area.

“The primary objective of this initiative is to bolster the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen by improving their fish catch, while also contributing to the national government's Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) program, which aims to ensure a sustainable and affordable supply of fish,” the statement read.

“Right now, we can say na ang operation natin na ito is successful, at the fishermen in from Palawan also expressed their commitment na papangalagaan nila at sisiguraduhin nilang ma-monitor itong mga payaw na binagsak natin… So far, sa ating experience, pag nagbabagsak tayo dito, ito namang mga areas na to sa Hasa-Hasa ay mga payaw na wala namang napabalita pang napuputol. It's because of the vigilance ng ating mga mangingisdang Pilipino to make sure na nandito pa rin yung mga payaw na naibagsak natin even last year pa,” said PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.

(Right now, we can say that this operation is successful and that fishermen in Palawan also expressed their commitment in taking care and ensuring that these FADs being deployed would be taken care of… So far, from our experience, we’ve already deployed some FADs in these areas around Hasa-Hasa and none of them have been reported as cut. It’s because of the vigilance of our Filipino fishermen to make sure that the FADs we’ve deployed since last year are still here.)

The PCG also said that the devices were installed with the use of three 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs), the 5001 PCG-manned BFAR vessel, and MV Mamalakaya, along with several Filipino fishing boats.

“Despite such presence and dangerous maneuver na ginagawa ng[done by the] China Coast Guard ay nagawa pa rin nating maibagsak itong mga payaw natin na ito [we are still able to deploy these FADs] to support the livelihood of our Filipino fishermen,” Tarriela said. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL/BM, GMA Integrated News