By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In times of crisis, humanity prevails.
This encapsulates the incident when amid the aggressive actions of China Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea, it finally showed compassion and sense of humanity when it offered to help the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in rescuing the two fishermen who sustained injuries after their boat’s engine exploded near Bajo de Masinloc on Saturday (29 June 2024).
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said the CCG eventually allowed their multi-role response vessel (MRRV) through after hearing about the explosion.
“Nung una binlock muna pero nung after nila malaman ‘yung reason they even offered help to rescue pero tayo ang nag-rescue,” the INQUIRER.net quoted Balilo as saying in a phone interview.
He said eight fishermen were aboard the ill-fated boat about 10 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc, also called Scarborough Shoal and Panatag Shoal, when the explosion happened about 2 p.m.
There were no details what caused the explosion.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Who’s to blame?
This question swirled amid the claim of the China Coast Guard (CCG) that a “Philippine replenishment ship ignored many solemn warnings from the Chinese side” subsequently causing the collision of vessels of the Philippines and China in the waters adjacent to Ayungin Shoal on Monday (17 June 2024).
There was no comment from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and even from the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the incident as of this posting.
In a statement, the CCG said the Philippine ship “approached the… Chinese vessel in an unprofessional way, resulting in a collision.”
Using the Chinese name for the Spratly Islands, Beijing accused the Philippine vessel of having “illegally broken into the sea near Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands”.
“The Chinese Coast Guard took control measures against the Philippine ship in accordance with the law,” the CCG further claimed.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the threat of China Coast Guard to detain effective June 15, 2024 “foreign trespassers” in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS) that it also claims, a group of fishermen sailed on Friday and Saturday to the Bajo de Masinloc, also called Panatag and Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
On Sunday (16 June 2024), the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said in a radio interview that it will continue to monitor the WPS as China starts implementing a policy that would allow them to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea for up to 60 days without trial.
“Patuloy lang talaga ang ating maritime patrol to ensure na namo-monitor natin lahat ng activities both in the air and on the sea, dito sa ating exclusive economic zone, pati na rin sa ating territorial waters,” PAF spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
She stressed that conducting maritime patrols over the Philippines’ territorial waters and the features within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is inherent in the duties of the country’s air force.
For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said China’s anti-trespassing policy in the South China Sea, which overlaps with the country’s exclusive economic zone, has no basis.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintained that the Philippines will not be deterred or intimidated by China’s threat.
“China’s so-called anti-trespassing policy undermines the rule of law and international norms that govern maritime conduct. The presence and actions of its vessels in our waters are illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive,” the AFP stood firm.
Meanwhile, a group of fishermen left Masinloc town in Zambales province on Friday (14 June 2024) and Saturday (15 June 2024) for days of expedition in the tense waters amid reports of increased presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and arrest threats.
“Awa ng Diyos po, kagabi, merong maraming pumalaot kagabi at kahapon, marami pong nagpang-araw. Sa ngayon, marami na naman pong pumalaot na nagpang-araw at nangangawil sila sa mga lugar ng mga payao diyan sa West Philippine Sea,” New Masinloc Fishermen Association President Leonardo Cuaresma said when interviewed by ABS-CBN News.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently believing in their narrative that they own most parts of the South China Sea, China on Tuesday (30 April 2024) fired water cannons at two Philippine vessels and damaged one of them during a patrol in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela disclosed that four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and 6 maritime militia vessels had carried out the “dangerous maneuvers and obstruction” during a mission to resupply Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Tarriela claimed that about 12 nautical miles from Bajo De Masinloc, the Chinese Coast Guard blasted water cannons at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Bankaw.
Two Chinese ships also used water cannons on both sides of the PCG’s BRP Bagacay at about 100 yards from the shoal, “resulting in damage to the railing and canopy” of the Philippine vessel, the PCG official further bared.
“This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water pressure used by the China Coast Guard in their harassment of the Philippine vessels,” the PCG said in statement.
“Despite the harassment and provocative actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, both the PCG and BFAR vessels stood their ground and continued their maritime patrol. They were not deterred and will persist in carrying out their legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen and ensure their safety,” Tarriela quipped.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently emboldened by the “gentleman’s agreement” between former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the China Coast Guard (CCG) has continued its harassments on Philippine vessels.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, on Monday said a CCG vessel has been “monitoring, tailing” the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) vessel BRP Hydrographer Ventura and its Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escort BRP Gabriela Silang, which have been conducting a week-long hydrographic survey in the north-western Luzon area.
“Hindi totoo ‘yong sinasabi ng China na they are only deploying their vessels on those areas na hindi tayo nagho-honor ng gentleman’s agreement,” Tarriela told reporters in a press briefing.
Duterte has admitted having a “gentleman’s agreement” with Xi to keep the “status quo” at Ayungin Shoal, where the rusty BRP Sierra Madre is grounded since 1999 during the administration of then President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada.
This developed even as US President Joe Biden is seeking $128 million in congressional allocation budget to execute projects for Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines.
“It just goes to show na ang China Coast Guard, nagde-deploy din sila in other areas sa exclusive economic zone natin para i-impose ‘yong paniniwala nila na legitimate ang nine-dash line,” Tarriela said.
The PCG official maintained the Philippines’ right to carry out research in its territory within the 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zone, as ruled by the 2016 arbitral award.
“And yet, China Coast Guard vessel is there monitoring our presence within our own exclusive economic zone that is like 650 nautical miles away from them,” he lamented.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Filipino fishermen have experienced harassment from the China Coast Guard (CCG) in Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales, which is the southeast entrance of the Scarborough Shoal.
This was confirmed on Sunday by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela who said they have tracked the origin of the videos circulating online which showed personnel from the CCG accosting Filipino fishermen after the latter were spotted collecting sea shells in the area.
“The PCG has successfully identified the origin of the videos and has taken steps to gather sworn statements from the individuals involved,” Tarriela claimed.
He said that based on the testimony of a certain Jack Tabat, five CCG personnel on board a rubber boat approached them.
Four of them disembarked the rubber boat and went after the Filipino fishermen, Tabat said.
“Mr. Jack Tabat from Zambales has admitted that the video came from their boat, FB Legendary Jo. According to his statement, on 12 January 2024, Filipino fishermen who were collecting sea shells near the South entrance of BDM experienced harassment from the China Coast Guard. The fishermen were instructed to return the shells they had gathered to the sea and were subsequently driven away,” Tarriela said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the expression of concern of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock over the reported harassment of China Coast Guard on Filipino vessels, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning has stood firm in China’s commitment to handle disputes through dialogue and “to work with ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the region.”
On Thursday (January 11), Mao reiterated China’s clear and consistent position on the South China Sea issue, emphasizing dialogue and consultation for dispute resolution while prioritizing the safeguarding of peace, stability, territorial sovereignty, and maritime rights and interests.
“China’s position on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent. We are committed to properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation with the countries concerned and would like to work with ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the region. That said, China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Mao stressed.
Earlier, Baerbock — who was on an official visit to the Philippines — noted the incidents over the recent months wherein the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) has used lasers and water cannons against Philippine resupply vessels and collision incidents.
Such incidents “concern us in Europe even though we are thousands of kilometers away,” Baerbock quipped.
However, China has remained adamant in its claims of sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
To recall, in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis.
China has strongly thrashed that ruling ever since.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently challenging the Filipino patience, the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships on Saturday, December 9, water cannoned and subjected three Philippine vessels off Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the three vessels — BRP Datu Sanday, BRP Datu Bankaw and BRP Datu Tamblot — belonged to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that were on a mission to provide oil subsidies and grocery packs to over 30 Filipino fishing vessels in the area.
In reaction, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson saying the Chinese ships’ behavior “violates international law and endangers lives and livelihood.”
To recall, in October, US President Joe Biden warned that the US will defend the Philippines in case of any attack.
Based on reports, the “harassment” started at about 9 a.m. Saturday as the BFAR ships approached Bajo de Masinloc, which was about 1.4 to 1.9 nautical miles away.
It was gathered that the CCG ships began utilizing water cannons in an effort to “obstruct and prevent” the Philippine vessels from approaching the Filipino fishing boats.
However, China maintained that its coast guard had lawfully taken control measures against three BFAR vessels “intruding” into waters near Scarborough Shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island.
An international tribunal had earlier invalidated China’s claim to 90% of the South China Sea in 2016, but Beijing does not recognize the ruling and has been building islands in the disputed waters in recent years.
(AI/MNM)
US legislators from both sides of the aisle have come together to denounce the China Coast Guard (CCG) for its unlawful actions in the West Philippine Sea and its violations of international law.
The most recent incident occurred on October 22 when a CCG vessel collided with a boat under contract by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to deliver supplies to Filipino troops stationed in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
The United States House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) released a bipartisan statement in solidarity with the Philippines on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
The statement, which the US Embassy shared in Manila, reads: “We unequivocally support the Philippines and condemn the unlawful actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the South China Sea.”
The statement was jointly issued by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (Republican-Texas), Gregory Meeks (Democrat-New York), along with Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Chairman Young Kim (Republican-California) and Ami Bera (Democrat-California).
They expressed their concern over the intentional collisions between CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels with Philippine Coast Guard ships, which put Filipino crew members at risk and obstructed Philippine vessels’ access to their own exclusive economic zone. They emphasized that this incident was part of a broader pattern of aggressive and provocative actions by the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the Maritime Militia, and the China Coast Guard in the South China Sea, where they frequently intrude into the exclusive economic zones of other states.
The lawmakers further voiced their condemnation of Beijing’s maritime intimidation. They welcomed the Biden administration’s commitment to increasing joint patrols with the Philippines and other partners in the South China Sea. They also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment under the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) filed a diplomatic protest against China in response to its coast guard’s recent “dangerous maneuvers” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
(Liezelle Soriano/ai/mnm)