MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is verifying reports that Chinese coast guard vessels rammed three Filipino fishing boats in Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales last Jan. 30.
PCG commandant Vice Adm. Rodolfo Isorena said he received initial reports that the Chinese had ordered the 29 fishermen on the three fishing boats to leave the area.
“They (Chinese coast guardsmen) were in uniform and they were carrying rifles,” he said. “As to the information that they pointed their firearms at the fishermen, I do not know about that.”
Isorena said the PCG is unable to patrol Bajo de Masinloc as they are awaiting resolution of the arbitration case that the government has filed against China before the Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in January 2013.
“We are waiting for the national government to decide, it is not within the Philippine Coast Guard’s level,” he said.
“Whatever instruction we receive, we will follow. The only thing that we will do is render a report to the (National) Security Council.”
The PCG will give the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) a copy of their report upon the National Security Council’s advice, Isorena said.
The Philippines and China are laying claim over the rich fishing grounds of Bajo de Masinloc just off Zambales.