Coast Guard extends aid to fishermen in West PH Sea

 (File photo / JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said it has sent supplies to fishermen who are in “prolonged fishing activities” in the West Philippine Sea. 

On Sunday, the crew of BRP Sindangan and BRP Cabra provided supplies for the Filipino crew onboard fishing boats FB John Jerry, as well as FB Maricris and Tessie.

The crew of FB John Jerry was given food packs and drinking water as they had been fishing in the are for a week.

The PCG also distributed food items and even medicines for a wounded fisherman aboard FB Maricris and Tessie. The boat’s crew has been fishing in the area for a month.

The PCG maintains a presence in the West Philippine Sea, with the rotation and resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal being one of its most salient tasks.

The PCG also regularly conducts humanitarian missions for Filipino fishermen, but not without incidents involving China Coast Guard (CCG).

Last year, the humanitarian mission of PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for Filipino fishers there was hounded by the China Coast Guard, according to National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.

Malaya said the CCG used its water cannons against the BFAR vessels Datu Sanday, Datu Bankaw, and Datu Tamblot, causing significant damage to Datu Tamblot’s communication and navigation equipment.

Also, the CCG used a long-range acoustic device against the BFAR vessels and deployed rigid hull inflatable boats to disperse and drive away Filipino fishing vessels awaiting the distribution of fuel subsidies and food supplies, according to Malaya.

China’s actions are based on its assertion of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, which includes the West Philippine Sea, disregarding an international tribunal ruling in 2016 which effectively dismisses its sweeping claims. (with a report from Barbara Gutierrez, INQUIRER.net intern)