PH chose to help China despite latest WPS incident — Palace

Malacañang pointed out Tuesday that Philippine forces chose to help Chinese personnel despite the recent harassment near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

''Unang-una po, mapapakita natin kung gaano ba ka-strong leader ang ating Pangulo pagdating po sa ganiyang issue. Unang-una po sa nagbanggaan na dalawang Chinese vessels, makikita ninyo po kung papaano ba mamuno ang ating Pangulo dahil kahit na tayo iyong hinahabol ng Chinese vessels ang Philippine Coast Guard, pero ninais pa rin nilang tumulong at magbigay ng ayuda or medical assistance kung kinakailangan ng mga nakasakay sa Chinese vessels na nagbanggaan,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said at a briefing.

(First of all, we can showcase how strong of a leader our President is. When the two Chinese vessels had a collision, the PCG chose to extend assistance even though our own vessel was targeted by the Chinese forces.) 

''So, diyan natin makikita na kahit na pakiramdam natin ay tayo iyong naha-harass pero makakatulong pa rin ang mga Pilipino sa oras ng kagipitan,'' the Palace official added. 

(We can see that even though we are harassed, we can still extend help in times of need.) 

The flagpole of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Suluan was bent after getting hit by a warship of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China during the incident on Monday.

The PCG vessel sustained the damage when PLAN 164 had a collision with China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104 as the two Chinese ships chased the Philippine vessel.

The PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were on a mission to distribute aid to local fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) as part of the Kadiwa program. 

Following the collision, the PCG said it immediately offered support, including assistance with man-overboard recovery and medical aid for any injured CCG crew members. 

On the other hand, the MRRV 9701 safely escorted the Filipino fishermen to a secure location, the PCG added. 

Castro reiterated the statement of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. that the Philippine forces would never back out despite the latest harassment from China.

''Sinabi rin ng Pangulo na wala siyang ibibigay na panibagong instruction kundi mananatili pa rin ang pagprotekta sa karapatan ng Pilipinas, sa teritoryo at sa sovereign rights at maritime rights ng Pilipinas,'' Marcos said.

(The President said he would not issue a new directive as protecting the Philippines sovereign and maritime rights would remain.)

''At mananatili po tayo doon kung ano po iyong dating ginagawa, patuloy pa rin pong gagawin ng Philippine Coast Guard [ang] pagtulong sa mga mangingisda at pagprotekta sa ating maritime rights,'' he added. 

(We will continue what we are doing and the Philippine Coast Guard will also continue helping our fishermen and protecting our maritime rights.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News