PCG alerts Chinese authorities after China vessel hits PH fishing boat

Filipino fishing boat Ruel J capsized in the waters of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it has contacted Chinese authorities after an allision in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) where  a China-flagged vessel hit a Filipino fishing vessel.

A maritime incident is described as an allision — as opposed to collision — when a vessel hits stationary boat. 

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo told INQUIRER.net in a text message that the Coast Guard “communicated with their (China’s) maritime safety agency.”

Balilo said the PCG reached out to their Chinese counterpart around Wednesday or Thursday or during the rescue operations for the fishermen aboard the fishing boat Ruel J.

The fishing boat was moored to a fishing aggregation device or “payao” when it was allegedly hit by Chinese bulk carrier MV Tai Hang 8 on Tuesday afternoon.

The five fishermen were safely rescued.

This is the second case of allision in the WPS this year, following the incident last October involving a ship registered in the Marshall Islands that led to the death of three Filipino fishermen.