Some fishermen in Masinloc, Zambales joined a fishing expedition organized by Pamalakaya in a symbolic move to resist China’s fishing ban. | FILE PHOTO: Joanna Rose Aglibot/Inquirer Central Luzon
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitored 12 Chinese vessels in and outside Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea during its routine maritime patrol on Thursday morning.
During the operation, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said Philippine vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cabra distributed food packs and groceries to approximately 40 Filipino fishermen in the area.
“The BFAR patrol aircraft conducted aerial surveillance of the maritime situation, identifying two China Coast Guard vessels (3106 and 3104) positioned outside Bajo De Masinloc, along with seven Chinese Maritime Militia vessels in the surrounding waters,” Tarriela said in a statement.
READ: West Philippine Sea: PCG reports more harassment by Chinese vessels in Escoda
“Furthermore, two Chinese Maritime Militia vessels were observed stationed inside the shoal, monitoring access routes into the area. Additionally, a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel, bow number 552, was reported approximately 50 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales,” he added.
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The PCG did not provide further information on whether these vessels harassed the Filipino fishermen, but it has committed to upholding the rights of the fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.
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Last December 4, Tarriela released a statement revealing that five Chinese vessels reportedly harassed Philippine vessels conducting a routine maritime patrol within Bajo de Masinloc.
On the same day, the PCG official bared four Philippine vessels deployed near Escoda Shoal also encountered aggressive actions from several Chinese vessels.
READ: Gov’t troops stationed in WPS get Christmas packages, including ‘lechon’
Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject a July 2016 Arbitral Award that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.
The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now effectively controls.
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