The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed two of its ships to Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) after a Chinese aircraft allegedly harassed Filipino fishermen there, a ranking official disclosed on Monday, December 2.
PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the deployment of BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV 4411) to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen exercising their right to fish freely in Rozul Reef.
This, as the PCG released to the public video footages and photographs of an incident showing a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter with tail number "65" hovering dangerously close - about 15 to 18 feet - to Filipino fishermen in Rozul Reef for five to 10 minutes, which could have easily blow away the boats that were made up of light materials.
According to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, the incident occurred on November 28. Similar incidents were also reported on November 27.
"This is the first time we saw a PLA Navy helicopter harassing a Filipino fisherman with such low altitude," he said in a press briefing.
He said that a group of fishermen from Quezon, Palawan went to Rozul Reef to fish but they were subjected to harassment by the Chinese military aircraft. In response, the fishermen took videos and photos of the incident and sent it to the PCG.
Gavan then instructed the deployment of two PCG vessels to Rozul Reef on Nov. 30 to ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen there. But the PCG vessels were subjected to dangerous maneuvers by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number "5203" when they passed through the vicinity of Sabina or Escoda Shoal, Tarriela shared.
“This deployment also aims to provide evidence of the active presence of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea. Despite the potential harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard, their confidence in fishing in the WPS has significantly increased due to the firm stance and commitment of the President not to surrender a square inch of our territory to any foreign power,” Tarriela said.
Boats sink due to big waves
More than 100 Filipino fishermen were in Rozul Reef when the PCG vessels reached the area on Dec. 1 but CCG vessels "5203" and ""5205" were monitoring them, the coast guard commodore said.
Moreover, the PCG confirmed that two Filipino fishing vessels ran aground and eventually sank in Rozul Reef after being battered by strong waves on Nov. 30, a day before the arrival of the PCG vessels.
"Despite of the presence of the two China Coast Guard vessels which saw the sinking of the boats, they were not assisted by the Chinese ships," Tarriela said.
"It is only through the help of the other Filipino fishermen why the distressed fishermen were able to survive," he noted, adding that those onboard the sunken boats were already rescued.
Tarriela said the CCG vessels offered assistance to the PCG when they reached the area but he was suspicious about their real intent.
"They just want to appear that they are extending assistance, that is what the fishermen said. Not a single attempt on the part of the Chinese Coas Guard was extended to rescue our fishermen," he stressed.
Over the weekend, the National Security Council (NSC) urged Palawan fishermen to go beyond their municipal waters and fish in the WPS as it is their right to exploit the natural resources in the said waters.
Rozul Reef, also known as Iroquois Reef, is located at approximately 128 nautical miles (237 kilometers) from Rizal, Palawan.
Despite being within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, China is claiming the area as part of its territory.
Beijing’s claim in the vast South China Sea, however, has already been invalidated by a 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines’ protest.
Tarriela said the PCG remains committed to safeguarding the rights of Filipino fishermen and stands in support of President Marcos Jr.’s commitment to uphold the country’s sovereignty, sovereignty rights, and maritime jurisdiction in the WPS.
He urged fishermen to continue fishing in Rozul Reef and other parts of the WPS despite the presence of China.
"It is estimated that our fishermen caught a total of six pounds of fish catch as attested by the fishermen themselves when we asked them. It shows this is almost 5,400 kilos of fish caught by our fellow Filipino fishermen in Rozul Reef," Tarriela said.