PCG: ‘Increased presence’ eyed at Scarborough

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said it is planning to increase its presence at Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, following a recent incident involving Chinese vessels harassing Filipino fishermen in the area.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, also said the PCG is working with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to maintain continuous Philippine government presence at the shoal.

“Because of what had happened last January 12, there is an intention on the part of our commandant, Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan … to increase our presence at Bajo de Masinloc,” he said.

National Security Council assistant director general and spokesman Jonathan Malaya denounced China’s latest harassment.

“We condemn this latest provocative action on the part of the Chinese Coast Guard against our fishermen,” he said in a briefing.

He added the incident was unfortunate as government was hoping that West Philippine Sea will be “more peaceful” this year, compared to the previous year.

On January 12, a Chinese Coast Guard rubber boat with five men aboard approached Filipino fishermen gathering sea shells at the southern part of the shoal. A video of the incident was posted on social media a week after. The PCG conducted an investigation after seeing the video and gathered sworn statements from the Filipino fishermen.

“They (fishermen) were told to leave … Before they were allowed to leave the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, they were first instructed to return the sea shells they gathered,” Tarriela said.

“To avoid commotion and putting their lives at risk, they just complied with the guidance of the Chinese Coast Guard to return the sea shells and eventually left,” he added.

Scarborough Shoal is about 124 nautical miles from Zambales. The Chinese gained control of the shoal in 2012 after a standoff between Chinese and Philippine vessels.

Filipino fishermen continue to fish at the vicinity despite the Chinese control of the shoal but they could not go inside shoal’s lagoon where there are more fish.

PCG and BFAR vessels are deployed in the area to secure the fishermen.

But Tarriela said the PCG and the BFAR cannot maintain