Two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships were forced to suspend their marine scientific research and sand sampling near Pag-Asa Cays on Friday due to harassment by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) helicopter.
The encounter involved aggressive maneuvers by CCG ships and the deployment of small boats to intimidate the BFAR vessels, which were en route to collect samples from Sandy Cay and nearby sandbars.
A PLAN helicopter also hovered dangerously above the BFAR ships, creating unsafe conditions for the crew.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela condemned the actions as a blatant disregard for international maritime regulations, calling them “aggressive and escalatory.”
According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ed De Vega, the Philippines plans to file another diplomatic protest, marking the second such incident involving a PLAN helicopter this year.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 26, 2025
