#Philippine coast guard deployed 3 patrol ship & a light plane to keep watch from a distance on the group of about 100 people who set off from western #Zambales province to assert Manila’s sovereignty over #ScarboroughShoal & surrounding waters.
In a press conference, #PhilippineCoastGuard presented satellite images of #CoralReefs surrounding Scarborough Shoal. Reefs appeared badly scarred, which the PCG said were caused by #Chinese fishermen searching for giant clams.
"The 'largest blockade' of Chinese vessels is en route to Panatag Shoal (also known as #ScarboroughShoal or Bajo de Masinloc) in the West Philippine Sea, ahead of a civilian mission to the area, said an expert and observer of maritime movements in the region on Monday...'This will be by far the largest blockade I’ll have ever tracked at Scarborough. #China seems determined to aggressively enforce its claim over the shoal,' he said
"The civilian-led mission aiming to deliver supplies to Filipino fisherfolk in Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, will proceed with the trip despite the reported heavy presence of Chinese vessels in the area, its organizer said on Monday. Atin Ito Coalition will sail to Panatag (#ScarboroughShoal) from May 14 to 17 to bring supplies to fishers and install buoys bearing the message: 'West Philippine Sea is ours!'
A Chinese Coast Guard vessel guards the entrance of Scarborough Shoal, off Zambales province, Philippines, as seen during the aerial surveillance by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
"Deliberately grounded on a tiny reef in the #SouthChinaSea, part of an island chain claimed by the two Asian countries, the #BRPSierraMadre is now the unlikely base for a detachment of Filipino marines who stand guard over the atoll, scanning the turquoise waters for Chinese ships." #AyunginShoal#SecondThomasShoal#Philippines
Vessels from the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (#BFAR) will be taking turns securing the shoal for Filipino fishermen. #WestPHSea#SouthChinaSea#China
Satellite images of the hotly disputed #ScarboroughShoal in the #SouthChinaSea show a new floating barrier across its entrance, near where Philippine ships and #China coast guard vessels have had frequent run-ins.
The satellite image bolsters a report and video distributed by the #PCG on Sunday showing two Chinese coast guard inflatable boats deploying floating barriers at the shoal's entrance on Feb 22. #Philippines#WestPHSea
#MANILA, #Philippines – Shadowing and blocking maneuvers by #China in the #WestPhilippineSea are nothing new for personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG), nor for Philippine journalists who are practically regulars in missions to those waters as part of the government’s “transparency initiative.” #WestPHSea#ScarboroughShoal
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (#BFAR) reported that a gray helicopter with Chinese markings was seen in the area.
“This is the first time na mayroon tayong nakita na Chinese aircraft patrolling over the airspace of #BajoDeMasinloc in the recent time,” said #PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela. #Philippines#WestPHSea#China
#MANILA, #Philippines – The China Coast Guard on Tuesday, April 30, used water cannons against two Philippine vessels in #BajoDeMasinloc (#ScarboroughShoal), a feature some 100 nautical miles off the coast off the coast Zambales.
The defense chief’s remarks come as three Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at two Philippine vessels near #ScarboroughShoal on Tuesday in yet another example of #China’s game plan to counter the #Philippines’ growing assertiveness in the disputed waters. #BajoDeMasinloc#WestPHSea#SouthChinaSea