PCG, BFAR deliver fuel aid to 50 Filipino fishing boats near Bajo de Masinloc

The presence of the China Coast Guard persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) provided fuel assistance, ice, and water to around 50 Filipino fishing boats at Bajo de Masinloc on Tuesday under the Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) Program.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said the initiative aims to ease fishermen’s expenses amid high fuel prices and ensure their safety at sea.

“Kaya we decided to carry out the KBBM project for two reasons. Una, para maibsan ang mataas na presyo ng fuel para makatulong sa ating mayang isdang Pilipino. Secondly, of course, the constant guidance of the President, siguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng mga mayang isda,” Tarriela told reporters in an interview in Manila.

The PCG deployed BRP Malapascua to escort the BFAR vessel MV Mamalakaya and conducted a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight to monitor the operation.

Tarriela said the PCG documented two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels — CCG 3107 and CCG 3306 — as well as a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship near the shoal.

The Chinese vessels did not disrupt the distribution of assistance.

“Surprisingly, they never came near sa ating mga mangingisda para guluhin yung pamamigay natin ng ayuda sa ating fishermen,” the official said.

Just outside Bajo de Masinloc, a Chinese research vessel was spotted operating in Philippine waters on October 20, 2026. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN NewsThe PCG also monitored Chinese research vessel 2299, which has been operating near Bajo de Masinloc since October 3.

Tarriela said the PCG believes the vessel may be conducting unauthorized marine scientific research.

“We would like to believe that, once again, they’re conducting illegal scientific research,” Tarriela said.

He noted that the China vessel had “obviously” no clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs to carry out possible research activities.

Tarriela added that the PCG continues to monitor and challenge the research vessel to prevent the “normalization of unauthorized research activities.”