PCG: 2 Pinoy fishers hurt after boat explodes near Bajo de Masinloc

Two Filipino fishermen were  injured after the engine of their fishing boat exploded near Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal on Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday.

Based on the photos shared by PCG to members of the media, the damaged motor banca FFB Akio was being towed by a PCG patrol vessel at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Two vessels of the China Coast Guard were also spotted near the incident.

According the the PCG, the China Coast Guard tried to hamper rescue operations even after they were informed of the emergency.

LOOK: 2 Filipino fishermen suffered 2nd-degree burns after an engine explosion at their fishing boat near Bajo De Masinloc on Sat, 9am.

PCG says China Coast Guard attempted to block their rescue ops "even after being informed that we were responding to an emergency situation" pic.twitter.com/JLKsGUVIa2

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) June 30, 2024

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said they conducted rescue operations and gave medical attention to the injured fishers.

Balilo said that according to the captain of BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), the rescued fishers attributed the explosion to a faulty battery starter motor.

The Akio and the fishermen are expected to arrive at Subic Bay, Zambales on the morning of July 1.

In a report by Jonathan Andal for 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, the crew of the Akio said there was an explosion in their engine at around 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Two crewmen sustained 2nd degree burns on several parts of their bodies. The injured men were treated by a PCG nurse on the BRP Sindangan. They will be taken to a hospital upon arrival.

Joel Banilla, the Akio's captain said faulty wiring could have caused the mishap.

"Pag start daw po ng makina, may sumabog," he said.

(When the engine started there was an explosion.)

Banilla said he and the remaining crew will try to repair the boat once it reaches Subic.

The rescue took around three hours according to the PCG due to Chinese interference.

"Nung papapunta na yung rescue, meron ding China Coast Guard atsaka PLA Navy na nag-attempt na i-block yung, initially, na i-block yung MRRV ng Philippine Coast Guard, yung BRP Sindangan," Balilo said.

(Rescue was on the way but the China Coast Guard and the People's Liberation Army Navy attempted to initially block the Philippine Coast Guard MRRV, the BRP Sindangan.)

Balilo said the Chinese even threatened to arrest all the fishermen if they refused to cooperate.

After the PCG explained the situation to the CCG, they allowed the PCG patrol vessel to proceed to the fishing boat.

 "Meron pang report na they actually offered help, na maglo-launch sila ng RHIB para rescue-hin yung mga fishermen. Pero alam naman ng mga fishermen na parating na tayo kaya hindi na sila nagpa-rescue dun sa China Coast Guard," Balilo said.

(There's a report that (the CCG) actually offered help, that they will launch a rigid hull inflatable boat to rescue the fishermen. But the fishers knew we were already en route and declined the Chinese offer.)

The PCG said the incident is proof that Filipino ships are present to assist in the West Philippine Sea.

"Napatunayan natin na nandun naman talaga yung mga barko natin. Pag may nangyayari dun sa mga fishermen, naka-responde tayo nang mabilis at malalagay natin sa tama yung kalagayan ng mga mga mangingisda," Balilo said.

(We proved that our ships are there. If something happens to the fishermen, we can immediately respond to assist in their welfare.)

A group composed of fishermen from Zambales has claimed that there was no presence of Philippine ships in the area, forcing them away from the South China Sea in fear of being arrested and detained by the Chinese.

Beijing is claiming a large portion of the SCS that encroaches the West Philippine Sea and the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has maintained that the Philippine government is duty-bound to provide protection to Filipino fishermen inside the country's territory that includes the Bajo de Masinloc and Ayungin Shoal.—RF, GMA Integrated News