Pinoy fishers rescued in Bajo de Masinloc explosion arrive in Subic —PCG

The Filipino fishers who were rescued from an explosion near Bajo de Masinloc arrived at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Port in Zambales early morning on Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

In a statement, the PCG said they were onboard BRP Sindangan which safely arrived in Subic around 4:45 a.m.

“The Coast Guard crew turned over the two injured fishermen of FFB Akio to the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD) for transport to the nearest hospital for further medical assistance,” the PCG said.

On June 29, two of the eight fishermen were injured after their Filipino fishing boat Akio encountered an engine explosion 17 nautical miles southwest of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal).

The victims were identified by PCG as:

• Freddie Legaspi (boat captain, injured)
• Rolando Lumapaz (injured)
• Mark Asuki
• Lowigi Asuki
• Ernie Adliana
• Erick Ricolozado
• Gilbert Sabido
• Birgiliu Repondi Alacre

To provide medical assistance, the PCG deployed BRP Sindangan in the area and its nurses provided first aid to two fishermen who suffered second degree burns from the explosion.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said China Coast Guard (CCG) and People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships attempted to block BRP Sindangan during the towing operation for the half-submerged boat.

"The CCG and PLA Navy vessels stopped shadowing our ship when they were informed by the Angel of the Sea on board about the humanitarian mission,” he said.

“The CCG also launched two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and offered to help the eight fishermen of FFB Akio,” he added.

He pointed out that the safety of life should always be the priority in times of emergencies. According to him, the PCG and CCG communicated in a diplomatic manner and set aside issues on sovereignty for  humanitarianism.

“The swift rescue operation proves the significance of our constant presence at BDM," he said.

"We will not elevate tension, but we will remain firm on our mission to ensure the safety of lives at sea. Rest assured that Coast Guardians will continue to protect, look after, and take good care of the welfare of our fishermen no matter what, the Coast Guard way," he added.

Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal is within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Manila refers parts of the waters within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague ruled that China's claims over the South China Sea had no legal basis, a decision Beijing does not recognize. —KG, GMA Integrated News