2 Pinoy fishermen hurt in Panatag boat explosion
MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese vessels reportedly initially tried to block a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel about to rescue eight Filipino fishermen, two of whom suffered second-degree burns after their boat’s engine exploded near Panatag Shoal on Saturday.
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said yesterday that based on an initial report submitted by the BRP Sindangan, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy 572 and China Coast Guard (CCG) 3105 attempted to stop their ship while on its way to rescue the fishermen of the FBca AKIO.
However, the PCG said that when the two Chinese ships learned that the PCG was on a rescue mission, they were allowed to proceed.
“During the operation, our vessel received radio challenges, as well as encountered shadowing and initial blocking by CCG and PLA Navy ships,” Balilo said.
“The CCG and PLA Navy vessels stopped shadowing our ship when they were informed by the Angel of the Sea (female radio operator) on board about the humanitarian mission,” he added.
Balilo also said that “In times of emergencies, the safety of life should always be our priority. The PCG and CCG communicated in a diplomatic manner and set aside issues on sovereignty, in the spirit of humanitarianism.”
Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG commandant, said, “The swift rescue operation proves the significance of our constant presence at BDM (Bajo de Masinloc/Panatag).”
“We will not elevate tension, but we will remain firm on our mission to ensure the safety of lives at sea. Rest assured that coast guardians will continue to protect, look after, and take good care of the welfare of our fishermen no matter what, the coast guard way,” Gavan added.
At 11:40 a.m. of June 29, the BRP Sindangan was positioned at 31 nautical miles southeast off Panatag Shoal when Filipino fishing boat FBca GG3 communicated with them via radio that the FBca AKIO’s engine exploded and the boat in distress.
It was later learned that the engine exploded at 9 a.m. because of a faulty starter motor.
The fishermen on board the FBca GG3 said that it also tried to assist the distressed fishing boat, but after seeing that the FBca AKIO was badly damaged, it decided to call the PCG for help.
The BRP Sindangan immediately went on its way to the location of FBca AKIO, which was 50 nautical miles away, when it saw the PLA Navy 572 and CCG 3105 following them and which later allegedly attempted to block their way.
The CCG 3105 also reportedly issued a warning that they would arrest all the fishermen if the BRP Sindangan would not cooperate.
But after informing the two Chinese ships that they were responding to an emergency, they acknowledged the PCG vessel’s radio message and stopped their blocking maneuvers, enabling the BRP Sindangan to reach the FBca AKIO.
The two foreign ships reportedly offered to assist the BRP Sindangan, but the PCG vessel declined their offer.
The CCG also reportedly launched two rigid-hulled inflatable boats and offered to help the eight fishermen of FBca AKIO.
By noon, the FBca GG3 informed the BRP Sindangan that they already had the two injured fishermen onboard and would rendezvous with the PCG ship so they could immediately receive medical treatment.
The rendezvous took place at 17.4 nautical miles southwest off Panatag, and the two injured fishermen were transferred to the BRP Sindangan where they were immediately attended to by the PCG’s medical personnel.
The PCG ship then made contact with the FBca AKIO, which was 13 nautical miles away from them. They were able to reach the distressed boat at 3:05 p.m. and by 4:39 p.m. they secured the submerged fishing boat to its towing bitt, and are expected to arrive in Subic, Zambales at 9 a.m. of July 1.
On their way to Subic, two other fishermen transferred to the BRP Sindangan while the remaining four remained onboard their boat to secure their belongings. The PCG also gave food and clothing to the eight fishermen.
Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) echoed the call for the government to provide protection to Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), amid Beijing’s aggression in the area.
In a statement yesterday, the IBP said Filipino fishermen have “the legal right” to go fishing within the 200-nautical mile EEZ, and that the government is “duty-bound to provide protection to our fishermen inside this zone.”
In a statement yesterday, the IBP said Filipinos have “the legal right” to go fish[1]ing within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, and that the government is “duty-bound to provide protection to our fishermen inside this zone.”
A fishers’ group yesterday also asked the Philippine Navy and PCG to escort fishermen so that they can resume their activities amid the presence of the CCG in Panatag Shoal.
Tropical Fish Gatherer Association in Masinloc, Zambales president Joef frey Elad said that various fishers’ organizations are waiting for the Philippine Navy and PCG to grant their request to provide security so that they can operate in Panatag Shoal.
Elad said that members of the cooperative do not go to Panatag to avoid possible apprehension.
“We still cannot fish in Bajo de Masinloc. I have communication with the Philippine Navy and I kept on asking when we can return to Bajo de Masinloc. — Bella Cariaso, Daphne Galvez, Pia Lee-Brago
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