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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG comes to aid of Filipino fishermen 'harassed' by Chinese ships in Bajo de Masinloc

PCG comes to aid of Filipino fishermen 'harassed' by Chinese ships in Bajo de Masinloc

Published Jan 13, 2026 12:35 pm  |  Updated Jan 13, 2026 02:09 pm
(Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)
(Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, Jan 13, disclosed that it had assisted a Filipino fishing vessel that was harassed by Chinese ships while en route to its fishing grounds in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, said fishing boat “Prince LJ” with at least six fishermen onboard was heading west of Bajo de Masinloc when a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessel with bow number “621” and a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship with hull number “23521” moved in close within 30 meters, “blaring sirens and blocking the boat's path about 16 nautical miles southeast of the shoal.”
The incident happened around noon on Monday, Jan. 12, and the identities of the fishermen were not disclosed as of this writing, except for the boat captain, Ryan Jacinto.
“The fishing boat's captain changed course to the southeast to evade the vessels but reported being closely trailed by the China Coast Guard ship,” Tarriela said.
BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408), a multirole response vessel of the PCG, responded to the boat’s distress call and rendezvoused with it at around 3:48 p.m.
The fishing boat’s captain boarded the PCG vessel at about 3:59 p.m. and received medical attention.
He also gave a detailed account of the incident as PCG personnel documented the encounter through photos and video showing the Chinese vessels’ actions.
The PCG also provided logistical support to the fisherman by assisting in the transfer of 10 containers of diesel to the fishing boat so it could continue its fishing operations.
The captain returned to FFB Prince LJ at around 5:02 p.m. and the vessel resumed its course toward its intended fishing area.
PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said the Coast Guard will continue to protect Filipino fishermen, especially in contested features in the WPS.
“The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in defending the safety and maritime rights of our fishermen, in full accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Gavan said.
China has yet to respond to the latest allegations of PCG about its vessels harassing a Filipino fisherman in Bajo de Masinloc.

Related Tags

PCG Bajo de Masinloc West Philippine Sea Ronnie Gil Gavan
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