The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) expressed gratitude to China for extending food and water to a Filipino fisherman in distress in the West Philippine Sea, while firmly questioning the presence of a Chinese naval warship within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In a statement, the PCG said it “acknowledge[s] and appreciate[s] the humanitarian gesture” of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Luyang III-class guided-missile destroyer, hull number 174, which gave a bottle of water and three packs of biscuits to fisherman Larry Tumalis off the coast of Zambales.
However, the coast guard stressed that the assistance “stands in notable contrast to the barbaric, illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions often employed by the China Coast Guard against Filipino fishermen.”
It also noted that it received no advance notice from Chinese authorities.
“The Philippine Coast Guard received no prior information from the PLAN regarding the location or condition of the fisherman,” the statement said.
The PCG disputed China’s claim that Tumalis had been adrift for three days, clarifying that he was safely tied to a floating fish-attracting device, or payao, while waiting for his mother boat.
“The claim that he had been adrift for three days is inaccurate,” the PCG said, adding that the fisherman was located in less than 24 hours after departing on December 24.
While China described the encounter as purely humanitarian, the PCG questioned why a Chinese warship was operating about 71 nautical miles west of Silanguin Island, an area well within the Philippines’ EEZ, saying the destroyer had “no legitimate reason” to be there.
The PCG also urged that the incident not be used for propaganda and instead serve as a reminder of Filipino fishermen’s entitlements in the area, particularly around Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.
“Filipino fishermen have full rights to fish in these waters,” the PCG said.