CHINESE ships, including warships, carried out blocking maneuvers and other “dangerous actions” against Philippine government vessels during the distribution of aid to local fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc and Escoda Shoal on Monday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said vessels from the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were deployed to deliver fuel and supplies to Filipino fishing communities as part of the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” (KBBM) program.
Near Bajo de Masinloc, PCG ships BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cape San Agustin, together with M/V Mamalakaya and six BFAR patrol boats, faced what Tarriela described as “significant challenges.”
“Philippine government vessels encountered dangerous maneuvers and blocking actions from 11 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, 11 Chinese maritime militia vessels, one People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) helicopter, and three PLAN vessels, delaying the delivery process,” he said.
Tarriela added that the PCG recorded for the first time a CCG radio transmission claiming that the presence of Filipino fishing boats was damaging their so-called “environmental reserve.”
“The PCG firmly asserted that Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine archipelago, and only the Philippine government has the authority to designate environmental protection areas in these waters,” Tarriela said.
At Escoda Shoal, the PCG reported the presence of 10 CCG vessels, 10 Chinese militia boats, one PLAN helicopter, two PLAN vessels, and a high-speed response boat that obstructed the distribution.
“There were documented instances of CCG vessels activating water cannons to threaten and intimidate Filipino fishermen,” Tarriela said.
Despite these incidents, BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cabra, with five BFAR patrol boats, managed to complete the delivery using what Tarriela described as “exceptional seamanship.” The mission concluded at around 7 p.m. on Monday.
According to the PCG, the operation benefited over 90 fishing boats, more than 50 in Bajo de Masinloc and over 40 in Escoda Shoal—delivering around 120,000 liters of fuel, 600 grocery packs, and purchasing 30 tons of freshly caught fish from local fishers.
“This aid underscores the Philippine government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the livelihoods of its fisherfolk in traditional fishing grounds within the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronniel Gil Gavan emphasized the agency’s resolve to protect Filipino fishermen from Chinese interference.
“My top priority is to safeguard their livelihoods and ensure their rights as Filipinos are never suppressed by external bullying. We stand firmly with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in defending every square inch of our sovereign territory against any foreign power,” he said.
The West Philippine Sea refers to the area within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, including the Luzon Sea, the Kalayaan Island Group, and Bajo de Masinloc.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, declaring China’s sweeping claims over the West Philippine Sea had “no legal basis.”
Beijing, however, continues to reject the ruling and assert control over the disputed waters.