PCG belies China’s claim it drove off BFAR vessel in Scarborough Shoal

This 2016 photo taken by a drone camera shows part of Scarborough Shoal, also known as Panatag and Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea that China is claiming. On Thursday, February 22, 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) disproved China’s claim that it chased away a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Photo by Rem Zamora/INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday disproved China’s claim that it chased away a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said BRP Datu Sanday continues to patrol the waters of the low-tide elevation, also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal.

He branded China’s assertion as “inaccurate.”

“Currently, the BFAR vessel is actively ensuring the security of Filipino fishermen in that area,” Tarriela told reporters in a Viber message.

READ: PCG, BFAR ships deployed to Scarborough to protect fishers vs China

Earlier Thursday, Beijing said its China Coast Guard drove off the BFAR vessel because it supposedly “illegally intruded” into the waters of the sandbank, which is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

China seized control of the Scarborough’s lagoon in 2012 following CCG’s standoff with Philippine vessels, in line with Beijing’s belief that it owns almost the entire South China Sea, which included the West Philippine Sea.

In 2013, the Philippines lodged a case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. Manila challenged China’s nine-dash line at the time and won a favorable ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claims in July 2016.

READ: 2023: A lookback at rising tension in West PH Sea

The 2016 decision covered Scarborough Shoal, which it declared a traditional fishing ground that should be shared among neighboring countries.

But Filipino fisherfolk have experienced harassment from CCG at Scarborough.

READ: Harassment of PH fishers continues – PCG

On Jan. 12, fisherman Jack Tabat witnessed CCG personnel force Filipino fishers to throw shells they gathered from Scarborough back to the sea and then drive them away. Tabat took videos of the incident that made rounds on social media.

There was no presence of PCG and BFAR vessels when that incident occurred, prompting the government to increase their presence since.

READ: PCG, BFAR ships deployed to Scarborough to protect fishers vs China

The PCG and BFAR have been deploying their vessels to protect fisherfolk in the sandbank from Feb. 1.

PCG ship BRP Teresa Magbanua and BFAR vessel BRP Datu Tamblot completed their mission in Scarborough Shoal until Feb. 9.

READ: PCG: Previous admin’s limited WPS info led to misinformation to worsen

BRP Datu Sanday has been deployed in the area with members of the media included in the contingent as part of the government’s “transparency initiative” in the West Philippine Sea.

“Their forthcoming reports upon completion of the mission will confirm the accuracy of our statement,” Tarriela said, explaining the inclusion of the media in the group.