62 PCG personnel awarded over fishermen rescue in Bajo de Masinloc

Over 60 personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) received awards for rescuing Filipino fishermen whose boat exploded near Bajo de Masinloc, Chino Gaston reported on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

The 62 PCG personnel received Bronze Cross for their response in the incident despite the shadowing and initial blocking by China Coast Guard (CCG) and People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships.

According to the PCG and the Filipino fishermen, it was not true that the Chinese personnel had rescued them. They said the Chinese personnel even blocked the boats that assisted the Filipino victims.

The rescued fishermen said they had radioed for help and a Filipino boat came and brought them to the approaching PCG vessel, the BRP Sindangan.

On June 29, two of the eight Filipino fishermen were injured after the engine of their fishing boat Akio exploded 17 nautical miles southwest of Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal.

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

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said CCG and 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.

According to Balilo, the PCG and CCG communicated in a diplomatic manner and set aside issues on sovereignty.

The Filipino fishers arrived at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Port in Zambales early morning on Monday. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News