The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported a fresh incident involving the China Coast Guard (CCG) blocking its personnel from assisting a Filipino fishing vessel in distress in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG received a distress call from a Filipino fishing vessel located 70 nautical miles southwest of Silanguin Island, Zambales.
One of the fishermen onboard the vessel was reported dead while at sea.
According to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, the BRP Cabra attempted a retrieval operation but was blocked by the CCG-3304 vessel.
Despite the obstruction, BRP Cabra managed to proceed to the location and recover the deceased fisherman’s body, returning it to Subic, Zambales.
During the operation, BRP Teresa Magbanua replaced BRP Cabra in guarding the area and faced larger CCG ships.
The PCG continues to condemn the repeated harassment of its vessels while performing humanitarian missions in Philippine waters.