Philippines says China ‘hindered’ PCG mission to bring home dead fisherman 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accused its Chinese counterparts of “engaging in shadowing that hindered” the BRP Cabra’s attempt to recover the body of a fisherman following a distress call from a Filipino fishing boat on Monday, January 27. 

In a statement to media, Commodore Jay Tarriela said the BRP Cabra responded to a distress call on Monday, January 27, from a fishing boat located from 70 nautical miles southwest of Silanguin Island, Zambales. “Upon arrival, the fishermen faced heavy waves and utilized their indigenous boats to transport the PCG medical team for assistance. Unfortunately, the team discovered that the fisherman had no pulse and was already deceased,” said Tarriela. 

Video shared by the PCG showed the BRP Cabra bracing large waves as PCG personnel tried to transfer onto the smaller, wooden fishing boat. 

“To transport the body of the fisherman back to Subic, Zambales, BRP Cabra bravely navigated through the heavy waves to retrieve the deceased using its crane. It is crucial to note that the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-3304, despite being aware of the distress call from the Filipino fishermen, engaged in shadowing that hindered the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel’s efforts to recover the body,” said Tarriela. 

Earlier, the 44-meter Cabra was tasked with guarding against China Coast Guard (CCG) ships that continue to patrol waters off the coast of Zambales. Tarriela had earlier said that the Cabra was “successful in preventing the Chinese vessel from advancing closer to the coast of Zambales.” Different CCG ships — from the its so-called “monster vessel” to other larger vessels — have been staying in waters between 60-90 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales. 

The BRP Teresa Magbanua, larger than the Cabra at 97 meters, has been deployed to patrol the coast of Zambales “to address the illegal presence of the Chinese Coast Guard,” said Tarriela. 

The PCG first raised alarm over the CCG’s continued presence in waters close to Zambales in early January. During a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism meeting in Xiamen, the Philippines protested the continued presence of the “monster vessel” and other CCG ships. 

China claims most of the South China Sea, including areas that are part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Beijing has refused to recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award, which affirmed the extent and limits of the Philippine EEZ, an area that’s part of the West Philippine Sea. 

Confrontations between the Philippines and China have turned more tense in key flashpoints in the West Philippine Sea. In June 2024, CCG personnel brandished bladed weapons before boarding and destroying the boats of elite Filipino soldiers on a mission to bring supplies and rotate personnel in Ayungin Shoal, where the rusting BRP Sierra Madre has served as an outpost. 

Tensions in Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal has gone down following a “provisional agreement” between China and the Philippines covering military rotation and resupply missions to the Sierra Madre. — Rappler.com