2 Pinoy fishermen hurt in Panatag boat explosion

Two Chinese vessels reportedly initially tried to block a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel about to rescue eight Filipino fishermen, two of whom suffered second-degree burns after their boat’s engine exploded near Panatag Shoal on Saturday.

- EVELYN MACAIRAN

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said yesterday that based on an initial report submitted by the BRP Sindangan, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy 572 and China Coast Guard (CCG) 3105 attempted to stop their ship while on its way to rescue the fishermen of the FBca AKIO.

However, the PCG said that when the two Chinese ships learned that the PCG was on a rescue mission, they were allowed to proceed.

“During the operation, our vessel received radio challenges, as well as encountered shadowing and initial blocking by CCG and PLA Navy ships,” Balilo said.

“The CCG and PLA Navy vessels stopped shadowing our ship when they were informed by the Angel of the Sea (female radio operator) on board about the humanitarian mission,” he added.

“In times of emergencies, the safety of life should always be our priority. The PCG and CCG communicated in a diplomatic manner and set aside issues on sovereignty, in the spirit of humanitarianism,” Balilo said.

Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG commandant, said, “The swift rescue operation proves the significance of our constant presence at BDM (Bajo de Masinloc/Panatag).”

“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,” Gavan added.

At 11:40 a.m. of June 29, the BRP Sindangan was positioned at 31 nautical miles southeast off Panatag Shoal when Filipino fishing boat FBca GG3 communicated with them via radio that the FBca AKIO’s engine exploded and the boat in distress.

It was later learned that the engine exploded at 9 a.m. because of a faulty starter motor.

The fishermen on board the FBca GG3 said that it also tried to assist the distressed fishing boat, but after seeing that the