PCG sends ships, plane to Bajo de Masinloc after alleged Chinese harassment vs Pinoy fishers

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday said it deployed vessels and aircraft to Bajo de Masinloc in response to alleged harassment against Filipino fishers by Chinese maritime forces on Tuesday.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said the PCG in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) deployed surface vessels to the area.

“The mission is to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen and to deliver essential support, including fuel subsidies, ice, and food packs,” Tarriela said in a statement.

PCG DEPLOYS VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT TO BAJO DE MASINLOC IN RESPONSE TO CHINESE HARASSMENT

Following reports of harassment by Chinese Coast Guard vessels and the Chinese Maritime Militia against Filipino fishermen on March 17, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in close coordination… pic.twitter.com/va92JTqt6h

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According to Tarriela, the Filipino fishermen reported “dangerous maneuvers” by CCG vessels 21605, 3107, and 3103, as well as some maritime militia ships.

“These actions included the repeated use of sirens and the launching of Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) specifically intended to drive Filipino fishermen away and prevent them from exercising their legitimate right to fish in Bajo de Masinloc,” he said.

PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan also ordered an aerial patrol over the area Wednesday morning to monitor the situation.

“This morning, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan directed the deployment of a PCG aircraft for a Maritime Domain Awareness flight over BDM. The flight confirmed a significant presence of both Filipino fishermen and Chinese maritime forces in the area,” Tarriela said.

The PCG said the aircraft documented five CCG vessels, three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and two Chinese maritime militia vessels in the vicinity. 

Yellow buoys installed by China were seen around Bajo de Masinloc.

There were also more than 20 Filipino fishing boats in the area, according to Tarriela.

“During the flight, the PCG aircraft actively challenged the illegal presence of CCG and PLAN vessels in Philippine waters. Notably, this was the first time a People’s Liberation Army Air Force asset challenged a PCG aircraft,” Tarriela said.

“The aircraft further documented the PCG and BFAR surface vessels currently en route to respond to the ongoing Chinese aggression,” he added.

Bajo de Masinloc, also known as the Scarbrough SHoal, is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and lies 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."

Beijing has refused to recognize the decision. —RF, GMA Integrated News