The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed Tuesday the first harassment incident of 2026 involving Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea after a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship allegedly blocked a local fishing boat near Bajo de Masinloc.
“There was a harassment incident yesterday in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. A fishing boat, Prince LJ, was harassed by the China Coast Guard and a PLA Navy ship at around 12 noon, and this went on until 3 p.m.,” Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said.
“There was no injury. Both ships approached within 30 meters of the fishing boat and blocked its path toward its fishing ground,” Trinidad said during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
According to Trinidad, the Philippine Coast Guard dispatched BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) to assist the fishing boat.
PCG personnel provided fuel assistance, while the boat’s captain briefly boarded the Coast Guard vessel for a medical check and was found to be in good condition.
After about two hours, the fishing boat was able to resume its journey and proceed to the fishing grounds without further incident.
Trinidad said the encounter marked the first reported harassment incident involving Filipino fishermen in 2026.
In a separate statement, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela identified the Chinese vessels as PLAN 621 and CCGV 23521.
Tarriela said the Chinese ships blared sirens and blocked the fishing boat’s path about 16 nautical miles southeast of the shoal.
The fishing boat’s captain changed course to evade the vessels but reported being closely trailed by the China Coast Guard ship.
The PCG response vessel arrived at around 3:48 p.m., during which the captain gave a full account of the incident. PCG personnel documented the encounter through photographs and video, Tarriela said.
The Coast Guard transferred 10 containers of diesel to the fishing boat, allowing it to continue operations. The captain returned to his vessel at 5:02 p.m., and FFB Prince LJ resumed its course.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the Coast Guard remains steadfast in protecting Filipino fishermen in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
