Chinese ship comes to aid of distressed PH fisherman

But PH Coast Guard remains skeptical about the gesture

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

China reported on Friday, Dec. 26, that one of its military vessels assisted a distressed Filipino fisherman in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, but the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) remained skeptical of the account and questioned the presence of the Chinese warship in the area.

A People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Luyang III-class guided-missile destroyer with bow number "174" delivered food and water to a Filipino fishermen who was seeking help from his banca, whose engine had reportedly failed in the middle of South China Sea.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said the fisherman had been stranded for three days so the Chinese warship launched a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to extend a helping hand while coordinating followup support with the PCG.

A photo showing the fisherman being given bottled water by a Chinese official was posted by the embassy on its social media pages. Another photo showing the fisherman holding a placard with the words "HELP ME" was also uploaded by the embassy.