2 FILIPINO FISHERMEN INJURED AFTER FISHING BOAT IN BAJO DE MASINLOC EXPLODE

China Coast Guard tried to blocked the PCG on their rescue mission and offered help (Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)

The Filipino Fishing Boat almost sank where eight Filipino fishermen were on board, two of them burnt their skin due to the explosion and suffered 2nd degree burns. The China Coast Guard (CCG) blocked the personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) who were going to rescue the injured fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc after the engine of their boat exploded.

A few meters from the boat were found half submerged 17 nautical miles southwest of BDM, a large CCG ship was spotted. According to the PCG, the CCG even tried to block the responding Philippine personnel even though they said they were only going to rescue fishermen.

“There was a CCG and a PLA Navy that followed us. It conducted dangerous maneuvers and did not allow us to enter the area. But after we explained to them that this was a rescue mission, they eventually stopped and we rescued our countrymen,” PCG Spokesperson RADM Armand Balilo stated.

It took a few hours before the fishermen were rescued which is nautical miles away from Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc; the CCG stopped the pressure only when the Filipino crew informed their Chinese counterpart about the explosion. The CCG offered to help rescue the boaters. 

"When the CCG found out about the rescue mission, they even offered help to bring down their rescue personnel. But of course we did the rescue, our countrymen know that the PCG is there," Balilo added.

As a result of the incident, the said boat sank past 3:00 p.m. this Saturday in the waters under the jurisdiction of Zambales. The cause of the explosion was a faulty battery starter motor according to Balilo. After being rescued, PCG personnel immediately brought the fishermen to Subic Bay.

Source: ABS-CBN News

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]