The vessel was identified as the Singapore-flagged M/V Devon Bay. It was carrying iron ore on a voyage from Gutalac in Zamboanga del Sur to Yangjiang, China.
  The Philippine Coast Guard said it had successfully rescued a Filipino fishing vessel being "harassed" by Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, in the West Philippine Sea. In a statement, the PCG said the incident happened  when a Filipino fishing boat attempted to head toward a fishing ground west of the Scarborough Shoal, an area off Zambales that has been under Beijing's control since 2012 following a standoff between Manila

Filipino fishermen have traditional fishing rights at the shoal,

It is noteworthy that the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that Filipino fishermen have traditional fishing rights at the shoal, but China continues to ignore this decision. The agency noted that a People's Liberation Army Navy vessel and a China Coast Guard ship blared sirens and blocked the boat's path about 16 nautical miles southeast of the shoal.

Trailed by the China Coast Guard ship

"The fishing boat's captain changed course to the southeast to evade the vessels but reported being closely trailed by the China Coast Guard ship," it added. A PCG multi-role response vessel, BRP Cape San Agustin, responded and had the fishing boat's captain board He received medical treatment and gave a full account of the incident, PCG said, noting that its personnel captured photographs and video evidence of the Chinese vessels' "dangerous actions." Even before the incident, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy had already blocked the Filipino boat to prevent it from approaching the shoa

Protect "rights of Beijing" in the South China Sea. 

Beijing has yet to comment on the incident, but it previously justified its actions by saying it sought to protect its "rights" in the South China Sea. The PCG also said it transferred 10 containers of diesel to the fishing boat to allow it to resume course toward its intended fishing area.

The Singapore-flagged M/V Devon Bay

The vessel was identified as the Singapore-flagged M/V Devon Bay. It was carrying iron ore on a voyage from Gutalac in Zamboanga del Sur to Yangjiang, China. The last recorded position was about 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point, Pangasinan, at around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 22. 

The China Coast Guard

China Coast Guard  (CCG) is the world's largest maritime law enforcement agency and a branch of the People's Armed Police (PAP), operating under the Central Military Commission. Established in 2013 and restructured in 2018, it acts as a "second navy" to enforce China's sovereignty claims, patrol disputed waters (especially in the South China Sea), conduct maritime security, and combat smuggling. 

Source : ABS-CBN

#China Coast Guard  (CCG) #Filipino fishing vessel #M/V Devon Bay# Scarborough Shoal #Bajo de Masinloc # West Philippine Sea #(PLA) Navy #BRP Cape San Agustin