China warship, coast guard harassed Filipino fishing boat in WPS —PH Navy

A Filipino fishing boat was harassed by a China Coast Guard vessel and a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea on Monday, the Philippine Navy said Tuesday. 

Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the incident occurred around 12 noon on Monday in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, and lasted until 3 p.m.

“There was a harassment incident yesterday, vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. A fishing boat, Prince LJ,was harassed by a Chinese Coast Guard and a PLA Navy ship. Roughly around 12 noon and this went on until 1500 yesterday,” Trinidad said at a press briefing.

“There was no injury. Both ships, the PLA Navy and the Chinese Coast approached within 30 meters of the fishing boat, blocked its path on its way in the general direction of Bajo de Masinloc or its fishing ground,” he added.

According to Trinidad, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) dispatched BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) to assist the fishing boat. 

PCG personnel provided fuel assistance. 

The boat’s captain briefly boarded the PCG vessel for a medical check. He was in good condition.

After about two hours, the fishing boat was able to resume its journey and proceed to the fishing grounds without any further incident.

Trinidad said the encounter marked the first reported harassment incident involving Filipino fishermen in 2026.

In a separate statement, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela identified the Chinese vessels as PLAN 621 and CCGV 23521.

Tarriela said the Chinese vessels were blaring sirens and blocking the Philippine fishing boat's path about 16 nautical miles southeast of the shoal.

“The fishing boat's captain changed course to the southeast to evade the vessels but reported being closely trailed by the China Coast Guard ship,” Tarriela said.

PCG’s multirole response vessel BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) responded around 3:48 p.m. The fishing boat's captain boarded the PCG vessel shortly after 3:59 p.m.

The captain gave a full account of the aggressive maneuvers. 

PCG personnel captured photographs and video evidence of the Chinese vessels' dangerous actions, according to Tarriela.

The PCG transferred 10 containers of diesel to the fishing boat, enabling it to proceed with its operations.

The captain returned to his vessel by 5:02 p.m., and FFB Prince LJ resumed the course toward its intended fishing area, according to Tarriela.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said “the PCG remains steadfast in defending the safety and maritime rights of our fishermen, in full accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. —KG, GMA Integrated News