BFAR conducts support mission for Bajo de Masinloc fishermen | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

BFAR conducts support mission for Bajo de Masinloc fishermen

BFAR conducts support mission for Bajo de Masinloc fishermen

Jose Carretero,

ABS-CBN News

Clipboard

MANILA -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducted its second rotational deployment at Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough and Panatag Shoal.
MANILA -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducted its second rotational deployment at Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough and Panatag Shoal.

From Capinpin port in Orion, Bataan, BFAR personnel brought along thousands of liters and diesel and grocery packs for the fishermen in the deployment titled 'Rotational Deployment of Vessels of Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR at Bajo de Masinloc' last February 18. 

However, like previous missions, choppy waters and constant shadowing, tailing, and dangerous maneuvering of Chinese vessels hindered the nearly 18 hours of sea travel. 

From the entrance of Bajo de Masinloc, BFAR personnel spotted the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), a Chinese warship, around 11 in the evening of February 21, marking what the BFAR said was the early shadowing.

The next day, at around 6:30 a.m., another Chinese Coast Guard vessel with the bow number 3105 began shadowing the BFAR vessel. Chinese maritime militia vessels also swarmed the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc.

ADVERTISEMENT

For the first time, BFAR and Coast Guard personnel also monitored a Chinese fishing vessel.

As the BFAR vessel continued to advance near Bajo de Masinloc, the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia persistently shadowed the vessel and initiated dangerous maneuvers.

BFAR recorded 3 dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese Coast Guard, Chinese maritime militia, and, for the first time, a Chinese fishing vessel participated in blocking the BFAR vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard recorded 4 Chinese Coast Guard vessels, 3 People's Liberation Army Navy vessels, 7 Maritime militia vessels, and one Chinese vessel.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, observed a notable increase in the numbers of Chinese maritime militia.

"We can fairly say na merong significant number of increase, pero I think probably the other reason is dahil sa presence na natin ngayon as what the president directed the Philippine Coast guard and BFAR to have a rotational deployment in Bajo de Masinloc, so probably this is the reason why there's an increasing number of Chinese Maritime militia," Tarriela said. 

Tarriela said that the presence of Chinese fishing vessels could indicate additional troops deployed by China at Bajo de Masinloc.

“This is the first time that the Philippine government monitored the presence of a Chinese fishing vessel, not a Chinese maritime militia. This is the first time a Chinese fishing vessel participated in the blocking and shadowing operation to prevent the BFAR vessel from moving forward or getting closer to Bajo de Masinloc,” he said.

Despite numerous attempts to block the mission, BFAR BRP Datu Sanday successfully reached the fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc.

BFAR stated that this is the closest their vessel has advanced to Bajo de Masinloc, with only more than 200 meters from the contested reef.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian and support mission for the fishermen was an additional blessing, they said.

Joely Saligan from Zambales said that they have been fishing near Bajo de Masinloc for almost a week already. He expressed his gratitude as he received a thousand liters of diesel from BFAR last week, which he did not expect to receive again.

Saligan said that the diesel would help them extend another week of fishing in their traditional grounds.

Fishermen typically fish for 1 to 2 weeks depending on their diesel allocations, but with constant aid from BFAR, they could extend fishing for an extra week.

According to fishermen, the increasing prices of petroleum products are their primary burden, but with government assistance, their expenses are somewhat lessened.

Moreover, Filipino authorities' presence in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc helped eased the fishermen's worries about a potential aggression from China's coast guard and maritime militia. 

Meanwhile, members of the media were allowed by BFAR and the Coast Guard to sail near Bajo de Masinloc using the rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and small boats from the fishermen.

However, the Chinese Coast Guard quickly noticed the media team nearing the reef and immediately tailed them.

Despite this, the media managed to reach the nearest part of Bajo de Masinloc where some fishermen catch fish.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.