MANILA, Philippines — Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said on Sunday the agency is in possession of a video showing members of the China Coast Guard (CCG) allegedly harassing Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal on January 12.
According to Tarriela, the video was taken by Jack Tabat, a fisherman from Zambales, who was aboard the fishing boat “Legendary Jo” when the incident took place.
In a sworn statement dated January 20, Tabat said that the fishers were collecting sea shells south of Scarborough Shoal when they saw a rubber boat with five CCG members on board.
Tabat mentioned that the CCG members were using sirens while heading toward the location of the fisher collecting sea shells.
Four CCG members then swam to the coral reef where the Filipino fishermen were and ordered them to throw the shells back to the sea.
A CCG personnel was also said to have grabbed the fishing boat and prevented it from departing unless the shells were thrown back into the sea.
Tabat added that the fishers were driven away when they tried to approach the coral reef to aid their fellow fisherfolk.
In a post on X, Tarriela said that the PCG is already taking steps to gather sworn statements from the individuals involved.
The PCG is likewise waiting for the arrival of the fishing vessel which was supposedly subjected to harassment to gather testimonies from the fishermen.
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The vessel is expected to arrive on Sunday evening.
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This is the latest in a string of aggressive actions from the CCG at Scarborough Shoal.
In 2023, the China Coast Guard employed military-grade lasers, water cannons, and blocked various Philippine vessels engaged in resupply and humanitarian missions in the Ayungin Shoal and Scarborough Shoal.