Chinese ships continued to cluster around Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, even as Filipino fishermen pressed on with their livelihood activities while receiving government assistance.
During an aerial patrol, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Cessna Caravan aircraft spotted at least six China Coast Guard vessels, three People’s Liberation Army Navy ships, and multiple maritime militia boats positioned around the shoal.
The China Coast Guard appeared to be blocking Philippine vessels attempting to approach the shoal.
“Our intention in conducting the MDA flight is to monitor, document, and not to allow the Chinese government to normalize their illegal presence in Bajo de Masinloc,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
Radio challenges were exchanged between the Philippines and China, with both sides asserting jurisdiction over the waters.
The two countries lay claim to the shoal, but sovereignty remains unresolved.
Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal, lies 124 nautical miles west of mainland Zambales, well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
China took control of the area in 2012 following a standoff and has since maintained a constant presence of coast guard and fishing vessels.
The Philippine patrol on Thursday also flew close to the shoal, spotting the two buoys installed by Beijing last month, after China declared the area a “natural reserve.”
“Ito ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit we’re continuously doing MDA flight and even continuously deploying our vessels — to ensure na walang significant na pagbabago ang ginagawa ng Chinese government dito sa Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela said.
“Ang pinakamalaking pagbabago lang is ’yong mataas na bilang ng Chinese Coast Guard,” the official added.
