In a rare move, the China Coast Guard (CCG) offered to rescue Filipino fishermen whose boat suffered an engine explosion off a disputed shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Saturday, June 29.

The Filipino fishing boat, FFB Akio, were carrying eight fishermen while on a fishing expedition when its engine suddenly exploded southwest of Bajo de Masinloc around 11:40 a.m., a report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

A passing-by fishing boat, FFB GG3, reported the incident to the PCG which prompted the deployment of multi-role response vessel BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) for search and rescue operations.

The ill-fated boat was found at 17 nautical miles southwest of Bajo de Masinloc in a half-submerged state.

Rear Adm. Armando Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said Chinese coast guard and navy vessels shadowed BRP Sindangan until the latter reached the location of the fishermen. They only stopped the harassment when the Filipino crew informed their Chinese counterpart about the explosion, he said.

“The China Coast Guard at BDM (CCG 3302) also launched her two RHIBs [rigid hull inflatable boats] and offered help to the half-submerged FFB [Filipino fishing boat],” Balilo confirmed on Sunday, June 30.

"During rescue operations, it is important to save lives. We need to communicate and set aside our differences especially when it comes to territorial disputes," he added.

A medical team from the PCG checked on the condition of the rescued fishermen. The PCG disclosed that two of them suffered whole body second degree burns which needed immediate medical attention.

Medical aid was rendered to the injured fishermen by PCG nurse and medical personnel.

Meanwhile, the boat was towed to safer waters as BRP Sindangan sails to Subic, Zambales. It was expected to reach Subic on July 1.

“With medications done, it was assessed that patients are good to go with said voyage time of the PCG ship,” Balilo said.

An investigation was also conducted to determine the cause of the engine explosion.

Tension between the Philippines and China remains high in Bajo de Masinloc as both countries assert their claims in the shoal, which is located approximately 124 nautical miles west of Luzon mainlan, within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Manila.

CCG often shadows Philippine vessels in Bajo de Masinloc to shoo them away from what used to be a traditionfal fishing ground for the Filipino fishermen. In other instances, the CCG uses water cannon to drive away "intruders" in areas they claim in the South China Sea.

In May, an expedition by civil-society group Atin Ito Coalition was launched in Bajo de Masinloc to strengthen the country's presence there. In response, China deployed dozens of coast guard, navy and maritime militia ships to block them.

A month later, China implemented a new maritime rule which empowers its coast guard to arrest foreign "intruders" in areas it claims in the South China Sea from up to 60 days even without a warrant, earning condemnation from Philippine officials and other countries supporting the principle of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.