Chinese vessels allegedly blocked a Philippine operation against a foreign fishing vessel suspected of conducting dynamite fishing near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The PCG said Philippine authorities launched the operation after receiving a report of suspected blast fishing near Sandy Cays 2 and 3, about three nautical miles west of Pag-asa Island.
The operation involved the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and Philippine National Police Maritime Group.
According to the PCG, two China Coast Guard vessels sounded their horns, established radio communications and eventually followed and blocked the Philippine boats during the operation.
A helicopter from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy was also reported to have made several passes overhead.
Philippine authorities attempted to stop the foreign fishing vessel and repeatedly contacted its crew by radio. The vessel did not comply and instead proceeded southwest toward Subi Reef, also known as Zamora Reef.
The PCG said the China Coast Guard has no law enforcement authority within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island.
The agency also said the reported blocking action helped the suspected violator escape from the Philippine authorities.
The incident came as the Armed Forces of the Philippines separately reported another encounter involving a Chinese military aircraft.
The AFP said a Chinese J-16 fighter jet repeatedly approached and maneuvered near a Philippine patrol aircraft over Bajo de Masinloc on Saturday.
According to the AFP, the maneuvers created a risk to aviation safety.
The two incidents involved separate areas of the West Philippine Sea and Bajo de Masinloc, with Philippine authorities reporting interactions with Chinese vessels and aircraft during maritime and aerial operations.
