SINGAPORE: China assisted the Philippines in the crew rescue of a stricken Philippine fishing boat near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday (Jun 29), although it faced accusations of initially blocking the efforts.
The weekend incident marks a rare instance of cooperation between the two countries in the South China Sea, where a violent confrontation erupted recently amid heightened tensions.
The vessel had experienced an engine explosion in the waters off Scarborough Shoal, injuring two of the eight fishermen on board, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stated in a Facebook post on Sunday (Jun 30). It referred to the shoal as Bajo de Masinloc, as it is known in the Philippines.
According to the PCG, a Philippine vessel patrolling the area, the BRP Sindangan, was immediately instructed to provide medical assistance.
“During the operation, our vessel received radio challenges, as well as encountered shadowing and initial blocking by China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships,” said PCG spokesperson CG Rear Admiral Armando Balilo.
The Chinese vessels stopped shadowing the BRP Sindangan when they were informed about the humanitarian mission, the spokesperson said. He added that the CCG also launched two inflatable boats and offered to help the eight fishermen on the stricken fishing boat.
PCG nurses assessed that two crew members had suffered second-degree burns and provided them with first aid. All eight were also given food and drinking water, added the PCG in its Facebook post.
“In times of emergencies, the safety of life should always be our priority. The Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard communicated in a diplomatic manner and set aside issues on sovereignty, in the spirit of humanitarianism,” said the spokesman.
“We will not elevate tension, but we will remain firm on our mission to ensure the safety of lives at sea,” he added.
