China forces disrupt Phl supply mission anew

With an announcement of a live fire drill, a helicopter flying close to Filipino fishing boats and heavy presence of patrol ships, Chinese forces disrupted once again a humanitarian mission carried out by Philippine maritime authorities.

- By GHIO ONG

A China Coast Guard speedboat blocks a Filipino fishing boat in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday.

(PCG PHOTO)

Both the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Coast Guard deployed vessels to perform the “Kadiwa sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” humanitarian program at Panatag (Scarborough) and Escoda (Sabina) Shoals on Wednesday, according to a statement from PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues Commodore Jay Tarriela.

PCG patrol ships BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cape San Agustin joined the mission in Panatag Shoal, while the BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cabra accompanied the BFAR, he noted.