A team of Filipino scientists and researchers conducting marine resource assessment on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea were “harassed” by a Chinese helicopter, resulting in injuries to some team members.
The incident occurred on Saturday and was captured in a video released by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The video shows a People’s Liberation Army Navy helicopter hovering above the researchers and monitoring their activities.
The helicopter hovered very close to the sandbar where the researchers were working, causing fear and distress among the team. It flew as low as 50 feet from the ground for approximately 10 minutes.
The strong winds and debris caused by the helicopter’s continuous hovering resulted in minor injuries to some scientists and BFAR crew members, such as cuts and scratches.
One BFAR crew member operating an underwater drone almost drowned due to the strong winds caused by the helicopter. Fortunately, the crew member was rescued by a colleague.
The incident took place on the same day that China Coast Guard vessels fired water cannons at a Philippine resupply boat near Ayungin Shoal, causing severe damage to the boat and injuring three personnel on board.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 27, 2024
