MANILA, (PIA) — Fisheries officials praised their personnel’s professionalism and vowed to continue patrolling maritime zones and supporting Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, despite recent confrontations with Chinese vessels.
The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) made this statement following an incident early Tuesday, October 8, where Chinese coast guard ships reportedly used water cannons in an attempt to disrupt a routine resupply mission to Filipino fisherfolk. The West Philippine Sea is the area identified by the Philippines for its claimed portion of the South China Sea.
Two BFAR vessels, BRP Datu Cabaylo and BRP Datu Sanday, were conducting the mission near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, when they were approached by three Chinese Coast Guard vessels and one Chinese navy ship.
BFAR reported that the Chinese vessels shadowed the Philippine boats and attempted to impede their mission. The Chinese coast guard ships opened their water cannons but failed to reach the Philippine civilian boats.
Despite these actions, BFAR said its vessels successfully resupplied seven Filipino mother boats and 16 small fishing boats in the area.
The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waters. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, while the Philippines and other neighboring countries have competing claims to parts of the resource-rich waterway.
The Philippine government has repeatedly protested Chinese actions in the disputed waters, calling them violations of its sovereignty and international law.
BFAR officials emphasized their commitment to fulfilling their mandate of enforcing laws and regulations for the management and conservation of fishery resources, regardless of the risks involved in these missions. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
(Photo courtesy: PTV)
