Marilyn Cahatol

The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177425619483120240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-46.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The China Coast Guard (CCG) declared so-called “clearing operations” in parts of the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal on Monday, warning vessels within a specified area to leave between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.</p><p>Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, however, believes the move was only meant to intimidate Filipino fishermen.</p><p>According to Tarriela, the PCG plotted the coordinates broadcast by the CCG, forming a rectangular zone.</p><p>“They&#x27;re saying that this whole area will be cleared,” the official told reporters, pointing to a map of the coordinates.</p><p>“As to what they meant with clearing operation, we still don&#x27;t know. But for me, our interpretation here is that they wanted to threaten our fishermen to leave Bajo de Masinloc because obviously, they do not want our Filipino fishermen to fish here in Bajo de Masinloc,” he added.</p><p>Despite the warning, more than 20 Filipino fishing boats remain in the area as of Monday.</p><p>“On our part, we are not going to advise anything to our fishermen because it will legitimize this threatening announcement of the China Coast Guard,” Tarriela said. “What we&#x27;re going to do is to ensure the safety and security of our fishermen.”</p><p>The PCG official noted that similar tactics had been used in the past, when Chinese forces declared supposed naval exercises near the shoal. No actual drills followed, he added.</p><p>“For me, this is not the first time that they declared particular coordinates to threaten Filipino fishermen. In the past few months, they declared an exercise area na gagawin daw ng PLA Navy. Pero buong maghapon, minonitor natin, binantayan natin ang mga mangingisdang Pilipino. Wala naman silang ginawang PLA Navy exercise,” Tarriela said.</p><p>“I think, itong dineclare nilang China Coast Guard clearing operation, as to what they meant by that, I don&#x27;t know. I don&#x27;t think they have tangible actions na gagawin. For me, this is just another threat to discourage the Filipino fishermen to continue their fishing activities.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/20/chinese-forces-fire-flares-near-pcg-aircraft-over-mischief-reef-2033">Chinese forces fire flares near PCG aircraft over Mischief Reef</a></div><div><br/></div><div> </div><div><strong></strong><strong>CHINESE SHIPS CONTINUE TO HARASS FILIPINO FISHING BOATS</strong></div><p>Tarriela said the situation on the ground involved continued harassment, with videos from Filipino fishermen showing CCG vessels deploying rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) to drive them away.</p><p>At least three larger CCG vessels were also seen maneuvering dangerously close to Filipino fishing boats.</p><p>These incidents occurred on Sunday.</p><p>“You can see, all of our Filipino fishermen, they didn&#x27;t resist. As a matter of fact, they didn&#x27;t become violent as they were being driven away by the China Coast Guard. But this just showed that China, until now, [does] not respect our sovereign rights,” Tarriela stressed.</p><p>He went on, “They are just fishing in the vicinity, they are not stealing fish. But what they [Chinese forces] are doing—they are launching smaller boats and they are driving our Filipino fishermen away. And at some point, they are also deploying coast guard vessels para mas mapalapit at matakot ang ating mga mangingisda.”</p><p>In response, the PCG deployed two of its 44-meter vessels, the BRP Cape San Agustin and the BRP Cabra, to provide security and support.</p><p>The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) likewise sent five of its ships to the area to extend aid and fuel assistance to the fishermen.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/12/atin-ito-to-hold-4th-west-philippine-sea-civilian-mission-in-april-1522">Atin Ito to hold 4th West Philippine Sea civilian mission in April</a></div><div><br/></div><div> </div><div><strong>PCG CONDUCTS MDA FLIGHT OVER BAJO DE MASINLOC</strong></div><p>A maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight conducted by the PCG on Monday confirmed the significant Chinese presence near Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>According to Tarriela, one People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warship, six CCG ships, and 15 Chinese maritime militia vessels were monitored in the vicinity of the shoal.</p><p>The official maintained that such deployments of Chinese maritime forces show Beijing’s “unlawful and aggressive actions.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/18/chinese-ships-harass-ph-fishers-challenge-pcg-plane-at-scarborough-1607">Chinese ships harass PH fishers, challenge PCG plane at Scarborough</a></div><p>Despite this, he emphasized that Filipino fishermen continue to assert their rights.</p><p>“For me, the Chinese government, they never run out of different ways to bully and harass Filipino fishermen. But one thing is clear: their behavior and their actions are evidence of unlawful behavior and aggressive actions. Despite that, our Filipino fishermen and our government continue to fight for our rights in Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/16/ph-has-indivisible-sovereignty-over-bajo-de-masinloc-dfa-1756">PH has &#x27;indivisible sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc,&#x27; alleged letter of concession posted by China Embassy &#x27;without value&#x27; — DFA</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/JGoOaCq_xjw?si=gqIUUUlOKwrF68I-" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The China Coast Guard (CCG) declared so-called “clearing operations” in parts of the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal on Monday, warning vessels within a specified area to leave between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.</p>

The China Coast Guard (CCG) declared so-called “clearing operations” in parts of the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal on Monday, warning vessels within a specified area to leave between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

China ‘clearing ops’ at Bajo de Masinloc meant to intimidate Filipino fishermen – PCG

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China ‘clearing ops’ at Bajo de Masinloc meant to intimidate Filipino fishermen – PCG

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 23, 2026 05:24 PM PHT

Read More:

Bajo de Masinloc

Scarborough Shoal

West Philippine Sea

Philippine Coast Guard

China Coast Guard

clearing operations

Filipino fishing boats

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