By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Were the Filipino scientists conducting marine resource assessment in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea being shot at by a Chinese helicopter?
This question surfaced following the report of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that a team of Filipino scientists and researchers was “harassed” by a Chinese helicopter on Saturday (25 March 2024), resulting in injuries of some members of the team.
In a video released by BFAR, a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter with tail number 57 was seen hovering above Sandy Cay 3 and 4 and monitoring the activity of the research team from the bureau, the UP Institute of Biology, and National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI).
The research divers reported hearing “ping” sounds at three-second intervals while diving at Cay 3.
BFAR said the Chinese helicopter continued to hover at a very close distance to the sand bar, where some researchers were conducting their assessment.
It further said some of the scientists and BFAR crew sustained minor injuries such as cuts and scratches due to the strong wind and debris induced by continuous hovering of the Chinese chopper.
Due to the incident, the mission commander recalled the research team.
It can be noted that the harassment happened on the same day that China Coast Guard vessels fired water from a powerful cannon at the Philippine resupply boat Unaizah on May 4 during the rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.
(el Amigo/MNM)
