30-6-2024 (MANILA) In a distressing incident that unfolded near the contested Bajo de Masinloc area, also known as Scarborough Shoal and Panatag Shoal, two Filipino fishermen sustained severe third-degree burns following an engine explosion on their fishing boat on Saturday, according to a report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The ill-fated vessel, with eight fishermen aboard, was approximately 10 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc when the explosion occurred around 2 p.m., as stated by PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
In a concerning turn of events, Balilo revealed that the PCG vessel dispatched to rescue the Filipino fishermen was blocked by the China Coast Guard (CCG), who issued a stern warning that the fishermen would be arrested if they did not cooperate.
“The China Coast Guard blocked them as they were heading towards the area. There were even dangerous maneuvers, but eventually, they were able to negotiate and were allowed to retrieve the fishermen before pulling back,” Balilo told ABS-CBN News in a telephone interview.
According to Balilo, in addition to the CCG vessel, a People’s Liberation Army ship was also present in the area during the incident. While the Chinese authorities initially offered assistance, they seemingly withdrew their offer, anticipating the arrival of the Philippine Coast Guard.
“Actually, they offered to help, but it seemed they declined since they knew the Philippine Coast Guard was on its way,” Balilo said.
The Scarborough Shoal, a fish-rich reef located approximately 240 kilometers west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan, has been a longstanding source of tension between the two nations.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, disregarding rival claims by the Philippines and other countries, and ignoring an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. To reinforce its claims, Beijing deploys coast guard and other vessels to patrol the waterway and has transformed several reefs into artificial islands that have been militarized.
