The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) successfully distributed fuel subsidies, food supplies, and crushed ice to nearly 100 Filipino fishing boats in Bajo de Masinloc and Escoda Shoal today, as part of the ongoing “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” (KBBM) initiative aimed at supporting the nation’s vital fishing communities.
The mission reached more than 50 fishing boats in Bajo de Masinloc and over 40 in Escoda Shoal, providing an estimated 120,000 liters of fuel oil, more than 600 grocery packs, and facilitating the sale of 30 tons of fresh fish catch to the government by local fishermen. This aid underscores the Philippine government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the livelihoods of its fisherfolk in traditional fishing grounds within the West Philippine Sea.
In Bajo de Masinloc, PCG vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cape San Agustin, alongside the M/V Mamalakaya and six (6) BFAR patrol boats, executed the distribution despite significant challenges. Philippine government vessels encountered dangerous maneuvers and blocking actions from 11 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and 11 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels, one (1) PLA-N helicopter, and three (3) PLA-N vessels, delaying the delivery process. For the first time, the PCG documented a CCG radio challenge claiming that the presence of Philippine fishing boats could damage their so-called “environmental reserve.” In response, the PCG firmly asserted that Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine archipelago, and only the Philippine government holds the authority to designate environmental protection areas in these waters.
At Escoda Shoal, the situation was equally tense, with the CCG deploying 10 vessels and 10 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels, one (1) PLA-N helicopter, two (2) PLA-N vessels, and one (1) high-speed response boat (HSRB) to obstruct the aid effort. There were documented instances of CCG vessels activating water cannons to threaten and intimidate Filipino fishermen. Undeterred, the PCG’s BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cabra, supported by five BFAR patrol boats, relied on exceptional seamanship to ensure the safe delivery of supplies. The mission concluded successfully at 7 p.m. this evening.
“The PCG and BFAR remain steadfast in our duty to protect the safety and security of every Filipino fisherman,” said Admiral Ronniel Gil Gavan, PCG Commandant. “My top priority is to safeguard their livelihoods from any interference by the China Coast Guard and to ensure their rights as Filipinos are never suppressed by external bullying. We stand firmly with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in defending every square inch of our sovereign territory against any foreign power.”
This KBBM initiative reflects the Philippine government’s broader efforts to promote food security, economic resilience, and maritime rights in the face of China’s bullying activities in the West Philippine Sea.
