The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) laid floating aggregate devices in Hasa Hasa and Kanduli Shoals amid dangerous maneuvers from four Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels during the three-day operation in the West Philippine Sea this week.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the PCG and BFAR strategically laid 20 FADs in the area, 11 were laid at the vicinity of Hasa Hasa Shoal and nine in Kanduli Shoal.

The operation were joined by three 44-meter multi-role response vessel PCG vessels acquired from Japan namely BRP Malapascua, BRP Cape San Agustin , BRP Cape Engano together with the BFAR vessel 5001, BRP Lapu-Lapu, M/V Mamalakaya operated and manned by PCG, and Filipino fishermen.

"With the help of 10 Filipino fishermen, the Coast Guard, and BFAR we were able to identify the fishing area of our fishermen from Palawan and they also supported us in laying the devices", Tarriela said.

During the operation, "the PCG and BFAR faced radio challenges and dangerous maneuvers from four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels attempting to hinder the deployment of (the devices),", Tarriela said in a statement.

The four CCG vessels who tried to stop the operation were identified in their bow numbers 21549, 21588, 5101, and 5103.

Tarriela said the two smaller CCG vessels with bow number 21549 and 21588 attempted stop the device laying operation by trying to separate Filipino fishing boats from PCG and BFAR vessels while CCG 5101 and 5103 did dangerous maneuvers by crossing the bow of the PCG vessels.

He said BRP Malapascua was shadowed by CCG vessel 21615 after it was first monitored within the vicinity of Lawak Island on June 16.

"When 4403 (BRP Malapascua) went up to Lawak Island, the CCG also shadowed it until he arrived and then by around 8 pm on June 16, we saw the arrival of the CCG vessels", Tarriela said.

"Right now we can say that our operation is successful and the fishermen from Palawan also expressed their commitment to maintain and ensure to monitor the laid FAD", he added. Marie Manalili/DMS