MANILA— A joint Philippine maritime law enforcement team was obstructed by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels while responding to a suspected dynamite fishing incident near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea on October 4, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

The team, composed of personnel from the PCG, Philippine Navy, including Marines, and PNP Maritime Group, responded to a report of suspected blast fishing near Sandy Cays 2 and 3, about three nautical miles west of Pag-asa Island and within Philippine territorial waters.

The operation was led by the Coast Guard District Kalayaan Island Group (CGD KIG), which was established to strengthen the PCG’s presence and response capability in the Kalayaan Island Group.

At around 7:20 a.m., personnel from the Joint Task Unit Pag-asa spotted a foreign fishing vessel allegedly conducting blast fishing in the area.

The CGD KIG then organized an inter-agency team that deployed PCG High-Speed Response Boat HSRB-019, a Philippine Navy rigid-hull inflatable boat and rubber boat, and a PNP Maritime Group RHIB.

The team departed Pag-asa’s sheltered port at 9:50 a.m. As the Philippine vessels proceeded toward the reported location, CCG vessels 5102 and 21581 moved toward their path, sounded their horns and radio-challenged the Philippine team while it was operating inside Philippine territorial waters, according to the PCG.

At around 10 a.m., the team reached the fishing vessel approximately 500 meters east-southeast of Sandy Cay 2. The smaller boats reportedly involved in the blasting had already returned to the mother vessel.

Philippine authorities ordered the fishing vessel to stop and repeatedly contacted it by radio, but the vessel allegedly ignored the orders and proceeded southwest toward Zamora (Subi) Reef.

The Philippine team followed the vessel, while CCG 21581 shadowed and blocked the Philippine boats. The Chinese vessel at one point came within about 10 yards of HSRB-019.

At 10:13 a.m., a People’s Liberation Army Navy helicopter with tail number 09 circled above the Philippine team four times.

The Philippine team eventually stopped its pursuit at about 10:23 a.m., when it was approximately 1.2 nautical miles east-southeast of Sandy Cay 5, citing safety concerns. All personnel returned safely to Pag-asa at 10:48 a.m.

The PCG said dynamite fishing is prohibited under the Philippine Fisheries Code because it destroys coral reefs and fish stocks relied upon by Filipino fishermen in the Kalayaan Island Group.

The agency described the operation as a routine law enforcement activity against an illegal and destructive fishing practice and said it was not directed against any country.

The PCG said the incident would be documented and referred through the Department of Foreign Affairs for appropriate action through existing channels.

It also maintained that the China Coast Guard has no law enforcement authority within Pag-asa Island’s territorial sea.

“By obstructing Philippine authorities, the CCG did not protect the marine environment. It made it easier for a suspected violator to escape,” the PCG said.

The agency also described the deployment of the PLA Navy helicopter during the operation as an unnecessary act of intimidation.

“Any claim that the CCG “handled” the situation or “expelled” Philippine vessels is false,” it said.

The PCG said it would continue working with the Philippine Navy and PNP Maritime Group to enforce Philippine laws and protect marine resources around Pag-asa Island and the Kalayaan Island Group.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has called for national resolve in defending Philippine territory and responsible stewardship of the country’s marine resources.