Rescue of PH crew in Ayungin surrounded, pursued by China vessels

The rescue by the Philippine Coast Guard of a stalled patrol boat in the aborted resupply mission near the Ayungin Shoal on Monday was also harassed by China Coast Guard vessels.

According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras," the BRP Bagacay was recovering the patrol coastal craft in the morning when it was surrounded by the CCG, militia boats, and even a helicopter.

Around 8 a.m. on Monday, the BRP Cabra was approached by three Hubei Class missile boats of the Chinese Navy.

The PCG said the missile boats also did dangerous maneuvers against the Cabra.

It was around this time when BRP Bagacay received a radio message that two rigid-hulled inflatable boats en route to the Ayungin Shoal were damaged.

At almost 10 a.m., the CCG radioed the Cabra to say that injured Filipinos had been brought to the BRP Sierra Madre, the run-down Navy ship aground in the Ayungin Shoal.

The Chinese said they were allowing the Filipino boats to get those who were injured on the condition that there would be only eight crew and they'd bring no construction material.

The CCG continued to follow the rubber boats that were sent to get those hurt. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News