Watch: PCG Rescue Chinese Fishermen In “A Friendly” Gesture

On Friday, January 27, China thanked the Philippines for rescuing Chinese fishermen onboard a Chinese ship off the eastern Samar. This is being held up as an example of Sino-Flilipino friendship, as China did a similar thing for the Philippines earlier this week.

The PCG rescued seven fishermen from the Chinese vessel in question, which was stranded off Suluan Island in Guiuan. Its hull was damaged, so they towed it to the Tacloban Port.

The Phillippine Coast Guard Eastern Chief, Lt. Commander Ramil Montemar, was the head of the team which inspected the fishing vessel MV Kai Da 899 once it was rescued at San Pedro Bay on Saturday. 

Source: Inquirer.net/YouTube 

The 496-tonnage vessel appeared clean from any malpractice as they showed a copy of the ship registration deletion certificate given by the Chinese government, which meant that the boat wasn’t up to the maritime safety standards and wasn’t fit for travelling. 

Huang Xilian, the Chinese Ambassador in the Philippines, said that China appreciates the PCG and Commandant Abu for the humanitarian efforts in rescuing the fishermen.

 Upholding it as a gesture of friendship, he mentioned the rescue of a Filipino fisherman in the Davao Oriental sea. 

The ambassador underlined its importance as it is crucial to improve communication between the coast guards of China and the Philippines, enabling them to properly navigate the sea traffic in the area and sort out maritime differences cordially.

This comes after an allegation from the Philippines that the Chinese coast guard has forcefully taken hold of rocket debris unearthed by the Filipino Navy in the West Philippine Sea. They sent a verbal note to the coast guard regarding this in November.

China dubbed this episode as a “friendly consultation”. 

References: News Info Inquirer, CNN Philippines