SUMMARY
PALAWAN, Philippines – Filipino fisherfolk were harassed by two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships as they installed payaos or local fish aggregating devices in the vicinity of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, April 4.
At one point, CCG personnel appeared to position in front of their ship’s water cannon, as they sailed close to much-smaller boats (fishing vessels) and tried to chase away the smaller Filipino fishing boats.
Journalists on board the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Lapu-Lapu and the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Cabra were also told to prepare for water cannons when one CCG personnel seemed to position himself in front of the red water cannon spout.
This was despite the presence of, and radio challenges from, vessels of t…