25 Marso, 2025 Martes
Success Month March in iskup
election campaign period, gun ban in effect
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay
No to SOGIE bill
Supports Fire Prevention Month March
supports Women Month March
congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City
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Family of the late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Sr. appreciates everyone joined them in their bereavement
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Ch ships swarm Panatag anew – PCG
By J.Lo
“Reason why we kept such distance was because PCG and BFAR vessels stopped at that position to give away fuel subsidy and food items to Filipino fishing boats,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea said Chinese vessels including warship were again seen swarming around Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal.
Air patrol over the area by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) revealed presence of five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, according to Tarriela.
Four Chinese maritime militia ships were detected at distances of 2.7 nautical miles and 8.69 nautical miles, both southeast from area considered traditional fishing area of Filipinos.
In addition, there was warship of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-Navy with bow number 574 seen around 25 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc.
At online briefing, Tarriela also reported PCG patrol vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cabra, four BFAR ships and 26 Filipino fishing boats were also around Bajo de Masinloc.
Two PCG vessels kept distance of 13 nautical miles southwest of Bajo de Masinloc, he noted.
Information gathered by BFAR in its air patrol was contrary to post on X by former US Air Force official and defense attaché Ray Powell that “BRP Bagacay & BRP Datu Pagbuaya have been intercepted by 2 China Coast Guard as third & 6 maritime militia ships set up blocking positions.”
Powell could not properly monitor operation of PCG and BFAR because “he is just basing on movement of AIS (automatic identification system),” hence “he doesn’t have clear picture,” he added.
Tarriela also disclosed CCG once again installed floating barriers at the entrance of Bajo de Masinloc, he said were “placed every time Chinese forces monitor presence of Philippine government vessels.”
Furthermore, PLA-Navy helicopter appeared to follow BFAR aircraft conducted air patrol from distance of three nautical miles, he added.
Last month, PLA-Navy aircraft came as close as three meters to BFAR aircraft conducting patrol.
“I’d like to believe PLA-Navy learned from backlash from international community,” he said.
Meanwhile, PCG said in statement eight Chinese crew members of vessel in anchorage area in Manila Bay may have disembarked “mysteriously” from ship, the Coast Guard said.
In statement, PCG discovered incident after conducting joint inspection with other agencies of three foreign-manned vessels last March 20. One of the vessels, MV Huagan 98, was supposed to have Chinese crew based on ship’s records, but none were found during inspection.
“Authorities found no Chinese nationals onboard…however, vessel calendar indicated presence of seven Chinese crew members as of 19 March 2025… review of logbook revealed eight Chinese nationals mysteriously disembarked before dawn on 20 March 2025, despite existing MARINA ,Maritime Industry Authority regulations limiting foreign crew members to supernumerary roles for single voyage without prolonged stay onboard, all Chinese nationals were assigned official designations,” PCG said.
Ship’s unnamed captain reportedly denied presence of Chinese nationals on board.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to summon officials of the shipping company involved to explain misrepresentation issues.
Authorities also took note of missing Domestic Shipping Operation Certificate and raised safety and security concerns due to non-functioning close circuit television.
PCG, DOLE, MARINA, Bureau of Immigration and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency also reportedly noted deficiencies in two other foreign ships checked at anchorage area last Thursday, namely MV An Da Kang and MV Shingping.
According to PCG, An Da Kang was found to have illegal manning and crew turnover violations.
Chinese crew members were reportedly authorized to work in Zambales but were found operating in Manila waters. Vessel also reportedly did not have valid Domestic Shipping Operation Certificate.
As for Shingping, authorities said its crew had questionable designations. There were reportedly 12 Chinese nationals onboard Shingping, all designated as “technicians.” Their designation did not match their Alien Employment Permits. DOLE said such discrepancy could lead to revocation of their AEPs.
“PCG and its partner agencies remain steadfast in ensuring compliance with Philippine maritime laws…appropriate legal actions will be pursued against erring shipping companies and vessel operators found violating labor and immigration policies,” Coast Guard said.
ISKUP! 