A Philippine vessel conducting routine maritime patrol was sideswiped in the vicinity of Pag-asa (Sandy) Cay, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported on Monday, Oct. 14.
In a statement, BFAR said the incident happened at about five nautical miles from Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in Barangay Pag-asa, Kalayaan, Palawan.
BFAR said that BRP Datu Cabaylo was sideswiped by a Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessel with bow number 00108 as it was slowly approaching Pag-asa Island on Friday, Oct. 11.
The agency said the Chinese vessel hit the front portion of BRP Datu Cabaylo, sustaining minor dents caused by the collision.
“Prior to this, the CMM vessel 00108 conducted dangerous maneuvers and tried to block the path of BRP Datu Cabaylo (MMOV 3001),” the BFAR stated.
The BFAR said that despite the dangerous maneuvers of the Chinese militia vessel, the BRP Datu Cabaylo was able to continue with its patrol mission in the Pag-asa (Sandy) Cays.
Meanwhile, BRP Datu Sanday, which was accompanying BRP Datu Cabaylo, also safely completed its patrol.
The two Philippine vessels, per BFAR, are now safely docked at the Pag-asa Sheltered Port.
The agency noted that Pag-asa (Sandy) Cay 4 is located at 5.1 NM south-southwest of Pagasa
Island, stressing that it is well within the island's 12 nautical miles of territorial waters.
The BFAR lauded their officers and crew who were aboard the BRP Datu Cabaylo for continuing to “perform their duty, in line with the mandate of BFAR, to uphold Philippine jurisdiction and rights over its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.”