Hopes up for de-escalation of tension in WPS after China’s gesture in disputed shoal

Following the offering of help by China Coast Guard (CCG) to a distressed Philippine fishing boat in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) over the weekend, a glimmer of hope was seen by authorities that the tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) would start to subside.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo insisted on Monday, July 1, that CCG personnel offered to assist in rescuing the eight fishermen onboard Filipino fishing boat (FFB) Akio after its engine exploded at 17 nautical miles southwest of Bajo de Masinloc on June 29.

This, despite PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela giving a different account of the incident as he claimed that the CCG deployed two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) “not to assist the PCG, but to obstruct and hinder” the efforts of PCG’s multi-role response vessel BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) in rescuing two fishermen who got injured due to the explosion.

Asked to confirm if the CCG really offered help during the rescue mission, Balilo said: “Yes.”

“They offered to help based on the report of the captain of BRP Sindangan [Lieutenant Lee Omaweng]. Ganoon din ang account ng fishermen (That’s also the account given by the fishermen),” Balilo told the Manila Bulletin.

“This is the official account of BRP Sindangan [that was] reported to the [PCG] Commandant [Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan] and to the President [Marcos Jr.],” he added.

Read: PCG: China lends hand as PH fishing boat malfunctions off Bajo de Masinloc; 2 fishermen hurt

As what the PCG has reported, Chinese coast guard and navy vessels initially issued radio challenges, and conducted shadowing and blocking maneuvers towards BRP Sindangan when it responded to FFB Akio on the morning of June 29.

The Chinese vessels stopped their aggressive actions when the PCG’s Angels of the Sea, a group of female radio operators, informed them about their intended mission to rescue the distressed fishermen.

A photo handout of the PCG showed CCG personnel onboard two RHIBs near the half-submerged FFB Akio.

“They [CCG] asked the fishermen if they need help but the fishermen declined,” Balilo said.

He further stated that the PCG and CCG “communicated in a diplomatic manner and set aside issues on sovereignty in the spirit of humanitarianism,” raising hopes that the hostile actions between the two maritime forces would be replaced with cooperation.

As for the PCG, Balilo said that they will continue to provide security and assistance to Filipino citizens in the WPS.

“We will not elevate tension but we will remain firm on our mission to ensure the safety of lives at sea. Rest assured that Coast Guardians will continue to protect, look after, and take good care of the welfare of our fishermen no matter what, the Coast Guard way,” Balilo said.

Out of harm’s way

Meanwhile, the eight fishermen were finally out of danger as they arrived at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Port in Subic, Zambales around 4:45 a.m. on Monday.

The fishermen were identified as Freddie Legaspi, 44, boat captain, and Rolando Lumapaz, 53, who both sustained whole-body second-degree burns; Mark Asoki, 20; Luigi Asoki, 66; Ernie Aduana, 36; Erick Reklosado, 46; Gilbert Sabido, 46; and Birgiliu Alacre, 48. All of them are from Brgy. Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales

The two injured fishermen were turned over to the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department for transport to the nearest hospital for further medical assistance, the PCG said.

Investigators were still determining the cause of the engine explosion.

Recognition

In a related development, the PCG bestowed the Bronze Cross Medal to 62 personnel of the BRP Sindangan for their “extraordinary achievement and acts of heroism” following the successful rescue mission.

Gavan led the awarding ceremony in Subic, Zambales on Monday. — Martin Sadongdong