China Coast Guard hindered rescue of Filipino fishermen

MANILA, Philippines —  China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel blocked the efforts of the Philippine Coast Guard to rescue Filipino fishermen from an ill-fated boat at Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, according to PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela.

Tarriela refuted earlier reports that the CCG “allowed” the rescue to proceed after being informed of the humanitarian nature of the mission.

“During the rescue operation, the Chinese coast guard deployed two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) not to assist the PCG, but to obstruct and hinder their efforts in rescuing the two injured Filipino fishermen, who suffered second-degree burns,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, last Sunday.

The PCG and Filipino fishermen who were involved in the rescue efforts “managed to outmaneuver the RHIBs and successfully transfer the injured fishermen for immediate first aid,” Tarriela added.

In an interview over ANC yesterday, he also disputed the narrative that the CCG tried to help out in the rescue efforts.

Tarriela pointed out that CCG personnel onboard the two RHIBs “were already aware we (the PCG) have already taken the two injured Filipino fishermen.”?“They still wanted to have much more optics that they sent their two rubber boats with camera and drone to probably come up with propaganda material that they are humanitarian, they are a responsible state (concerned) about the welfare of the Filipino fishermen,” he said. ?The effort was part of a “massive maligned information” campaign by China that aims to divide Filipinos on the issue of the West Philippine Sea, Tarriela added.

Earlier reports said PCG personnel onboard the BRP Sindangan saved two fishermen, from a crew of eight, who sustained second-degree burns after the engine of their vessel, the FBca AKIO, exploded while sailing near the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal, last Saturday.

However, two vessels from China’s People’s Liberation Army and CCG tried to block the PCG, according to the reports.

Despite the distress call from FBca AKIO, the crew onboard the CCG vessel warned they would arrest all fishermen if the BRP Sindangan proceeded with the rescue.

The CCG eventually allowed the PCG to carry out their rescue operation after informing them through radio communication. It also deployed two RHIBs to allegedly offer help, which the PCG declined.

PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan recognized the swift response and diplomatic radio communication displayed by the 62 coast guard personnel onboard the Sindangan, and awarded the crew with a Bronze Cross for their heroism.

Bajo de Masinloc is anatoll located 120 nautical miles from Zambales and 196 nautical miles from Palawan.– Evelyn Macairan