DND verifies China Coast Guard's 'harassment' of Palawan fishermen
The Department of National Defense (DND) is looking into the latest case of alleged harassment of Palawan fishermen by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, West Philippine Sea (WPS).

An undated video of the incident circulated on social media after it was posted on DYPR Palawan Facebook page on Friday, Jan. 20, prompting military officers from the Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to determine its authenticity.
“WESCOM is validating the video,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told reporters.
The 1:49-minute long video showed that some Filipino fishermen were documenting their ordeal as they were apparently driven away by a CCG ship. The fishermen were reportedly locals of Purok Liberty, Brgy. Bagong Sikat, Puerto Princesa City.
“Ito po ang China Coast Guard, itinataboy kami dito sa Ayungin o Second Thomas (This is the China Coast Guard which drives us away here in Ayungin or Second Thomas),” said a man whose voice was heard from the video.
In the video, the fishermen also showed how a speedboat from the CCG patrolled the waters where they were supposed to cast their nets.

“Ito po ang speedboat nila oh, itinataboy kami, pinapaalis kami sa bahura sa Second Thomas. Kawawa ang mga Pinoy na mangingisda (This is their speed which drives us away here in the reef of Second Thomas. What a pity for Filipino fishermen),” the man added.
The incident added to the long list of Chinese vessels’ intrusion in the Philippines’ territorial waters.
Last month, the DND ordered the AFP to maximize military presence in WPS amid reports of increased Chinese activities there. The DND said that it had monitored Chinese activities close to Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in Kalayaan, Palawan while officials had also expressed concern on the swarming of Chinese vessels at Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal. The CCG also forcibly took a rocket debris from Philippine Navy personnel in Palawan in November 2022.