Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<p>WEST PHILIPPINE SEA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has provided security and assistance to Filipino fishermen in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal amid continued Chinese presence in the area.</p><p>During a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight on Monday, the BRP Gabriela Silang and BRP Cabra were seen providing protection and support to over 30 Filipino fishing boats despite two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels attempting to restrict their movement.</p><p>“During our MDA flight, we were able to once again see the presence of more than 30 Filipino fishing boats. Nandoon pa rin ang dalawang China Coast Guard vessels na tila humaharang sa ating mga mangingisdang Pilipino to move forward sa Bajo de Masinloc: CCG 3105 and 3106,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, told reporters in an interview.</p><p>“Those vessels na dineploy ng CCG are seemingly deployed there to prevent Filipino fishermen from advancing to Bajo de Masinloc. This is the reason kung bakit ang layo ng ating mga mangingisda—approximately 35 to 40 nautical miles [from the shoal],” he added.</p><p>While en route to the area, the PCG Cessna Caravan carrying personnel and journalists was challenged by a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warship.</p><p>“On our way, nakakuha na agad tayo ng radio challenge from PLA-N 553, and in response, ang ating mga piloto ng PCG Caravan also highlighted that our MDA flight is legitimate and a routine flight being carried out by the PCG. We also challenged the presence of the PLA-N warship na nagchallenge sa atin, questioning our routine operation,” Tarriela said.</p><p>Through the automatic identification system (AIS), the PCG was able to track four CCG vessels and six Chinese maritime militia vessels about 12 to 20 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>“When we arrived in Bajo de Masinloc, we were able to monitor through AIS the presence of four CCG vessels—3301, 23518, 3303 and 5306,” the official noted.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/1/pcg-continues-transparency-initiatives-despite-online-clashes-with-chinese-embassy-1629">‘This is a long game:’ PCG continues transparency initiatives despite online clashes with Chinese Embassy</a></div><p>Aside from protecting Filipino fishermen, Tarriela stressed that the deployment of PCG assets in the area is meant to uphold the country’s sovereign rights.</p><p>“The intention of the commandant why we are deploying our PCG vessels and aircraft is to provide safety and security to our Filipino fishermen and most importantly, to assert our sovereign rights in these waters, and to prevent the CCG in normalizing its own presence, considering that for them, what they’re doing there is maritime law enforcement,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CHINESE MILITARY PATROLS</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, China claimed it conducted naval and air patrols around Bajo de Masinloc last Saturday, just days after a bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) between the Philippines and the United States.</p><p>Chinese state media reported that the patrols involved multiple aircraft, including H-6K bombers armed with anti-ship missiles, supported by navy frigates and coast guard vessels.</p><p>Despite the reported Chinese military patrols, Tarriela said the PCG and Filipino fishermen remain undeterred.</p><p>“I don’t have any data to confirm whether such exercise was done by the Chinese government, but as far as the PCG is concerned, our intention is to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen,” the PCG spokesman said.</p><p>“The mere fact that PCG vessels remain to be in place and our Filipino fishermen ay patuloy na nangingisda sa vicinity ng Bajo de Masinloc since last week, obviously, it [Chinese exercise] never discouraged our Filipino fishermen na mangisda pa rin sa Bajo de Masinloc,” he continued.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/31/pcg-spots-3-china-vessels-while-guarding-filipino-fisherfolk-in-bajo-de-masinloc-1425">PCG spots 3 China vessels while guarding Filipino fisherfolk in Bajo de Masinloc</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XnANVQFgsS4?si=esNn0ltmB8LQ0SUX" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) provided security and assistance to Filipino fishermen in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal amid continued Chinese presence in the area.</p>

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) provided security and assistance to Filipino fishermen in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal amid continued Chinese presence in the area.

PCG secures Filipino fishermen as Chinese vessels hamper movement in Bajo de Masinloc

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PCG secures Filipino fishermen as Chinese vessels hamper movement in Bajo de Masinloc

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 02, 2026 06:16 PM PHT

Read More:

West Philippine Sea

Bajo de Masinloc

Philippine Coast Guard

China Coast Guard

People’s Liberation Army Navy

Chinese maritime militia

Filipino fishing boats

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