THE Philippine Coast Guard is leaving the decision of whether or not a diplomatic protest will be filed against China for allegedly harassing Filipino fishermen at the Bajo de Masinloc.

Commodore Jay Tarriela of the PCG said that they have the evidence to back up the claims as the Filipinos were fishing within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, which Beijing had been claiming as part of their territory.

The PCG confirmed on Sunday the reported harassment by the CCG in Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales, which is the southeast entrance of the Scarborough Shoal.

Tarriela noted that they had already traced the origin of the videos circulating online, which clearly showed personnel from the China Coast Guard that were accosting Filipino fishermen after they were spotted collecting sea shells in the area.

“The PCG have successfully identified the origin of the videos and have taken steps to gather sworn statements from the individuals involved,” said Tarriela.

“Mr. Jack Tabat from Zambales, has admitted that the video came from their boat, FB Legendary Jo. According to his statement, on 12 January 2024, Filipino fishermen who were collecting sea shells near the South entrance of BDM experienced harassment from the China Coast Guard. The fishermen were instructed to return the shells they had gathered to the sea and were subsequently driven away,” he said.

Tarriela said that based on the testimony of  Tabat, some five Chinese Coast Guard personnel on board a rubber boat approached them. 

Four of them disembarked and went after the Filipino fishermen. 

“He also documented one Chinese Coast Guard personnel grabbing the fishing boat and preventing it from departing unless the fishermen threw back their gathered sea shells into the sea,” Tarriela said.

“Currently, the PCG is awaiting the arrival of the fishing vessel this evening, which was subjected to the China Coast Guard’s harassment. We intend to gather testimonies from the fishermen as well,” he added.

Beijing had been claiming majority of the South China which includes the West Philippine Sea and the exclusive economic zones that were outlined by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).

An international tribunal ruling that the Philippines owns WPS was made, but China disregarded this.

China continues to deploy boats to patrol said areas and has even built artificial islands that it has militarized to reinforce its claims