PH Navy checking reports of Chinese fatalities in Bajo de Masinloc collision
The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said it is checking reports on supposed Chinese fatalities in last Monday's collision of People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and China Coast Guard (CCG) ships in Bajo de Masinloc.
'Still checking,' Philippine Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told GMA News Online in a message.
Trinidad made the statement when asked for information after Senator Ping Lacson said that two CCG personnel allegedly died in the incident.
"The WPS collision between a PLAN ship and a CCG vessel, while chasing a PCG vessel on a mission to resupply our fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc reportedly killed 2 CCG crew members,' the senator said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
'While we are proud of a skillful maneuver by our PCG captain, we also mourn the senseless loss of lives of the CCG personnel," he added.
Maritime expert, former US Air Force official, and ex-Defense Attaché Ray Powell said Chinese ships were conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations near Bajo de Masinloc.
At least one CCG vessel and eight militia ships have been conducting SAR operations 15 to 25 nautical miles east of the shoal since yesterday afternoon's mishap with a (PLAN) destroyer,' Powell said.
'The damaged vessel, CCG 3104, has been automatic identification system-'dark' since before the incident,' he added.
Trinidad told GMA News Online that the pattern of the Chinese vessels' movements hinted that at least one crew member possibly fell into the sea.
'These are patterns used generally when searching in the ocean, indicative of a man overboard situation,' he said in a message.
GMA News Online has also asked for information about the supposed Chinese deaths in the collision from the Chinese Embassy in Manila and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) but it has yet to respond as of posting time.
On Monday, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) headed to the disputed Bajo de Masinloc to distribute assistance to local fishermen as part of the Kadiwa program.
Several Chinese ships reportedly harassed Philippine vessels by using water cannons, performing dangerous maneuvers and shadowing.
According to the PCG, People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) guided missile destroyer Guilin (164) and China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104 collided while they were attempting to chase PCG patrol vessel BRP Suluan.
Video released by the PCG shows the CCG cutter with a crumpled bow, deeming it 'unseaworthy'. The Guilin's port (left) side bore visible damage and scrape marks.
Meanwhile, the flagpole on the Suluan's stern was twisted in the near-collision— an indication of how close the PCG patrol vessel was nearly rammed by the 7,500-ton destroyer.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday maintained China's claim to the WPS, saying that it had to do what is 'necessary to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law.'
'The Philippines' moves seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and rights and interests, and seriously harmed peace and stability at sea. These moves are of a malign nature,' the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
'China urges the Philippines to stop the infringement and provocative activities at once and refrain from challenging China's firm resolve to safeguard our lawful rights and interests,' he added.
Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as the West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim.
The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."
China has refused to recognize the decision. — RF, GMA Integrated News
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