"Deliberately grounded on a tiny reef in the #SouthChinaSea, part of an island chain claimed by the two Asian countries, the #BRPSierraMadre is now the unlikely base for a detachment of Filipino marines who stand guard over the atoll, scanning the turquoise waters for Chinese ships." #AyunginShoal#SecondThomasShoal#Philippines
In a statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS) said #ChineseCoastGuard (CCG) ships used water cannons against the vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (#BFAR) namely Datu Sanday, Datu Bankaw, and Datu Tamblot near #BajoDeMasinloc (#Scarborough Shoal). The three BFAR ships are civilian vessels. #Philippines#SouthChinaSea
Vessels from the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (#BFAR) will be taking turns securing the shoal for Filipino fishermen. #WestPHSea#SouthChinaSea#China
It took #BFAR’s vessel up to 2 hours to break free from the blocking Chinese vessels and proceed to the #BajoDeMasinloc to distribute aid to 44 Filipino fishing boats moored there.
The #BRPDatuSanday then anchored 200 meters from the shoreline of Bajo de Masinloc, the nearest it has reached since its rotational deployment. #WestPHSea#Philippines
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (#BFAR) reported that a gray helicopter with Chinese markings was seen in the area.
“This is the first time na mayroon tayong nakita na Chinese aircraft patrolling over the airspace of #BajoDeMasinloc in the recent time,” said #PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela. #Philippines#WestPHSea#China