Chinese Vessel Runs Aground Near Pag-asa Island
Local fisherfolk in Palawan raised alarms when a Chinese vessel ran aground close to Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Saturday, June 7, amid bad weather. The incident occurred around 3 p.m., when fishermen noticed the stationary vessel about two nautical miles from the island.
The military identified the vessel as resembling maritime militia boats commonly deployed by China in the WPS. “A Chinese vessel ran aground here near Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan. They should remove it. They might be replicating what ‘57’ did in Ayungin,” said Larry Hugo, a local fisherman. He referred to the BRP Sierra Madre (LS57), which the Philippine Navy deliberately ran aground at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in 1999 to assert the country’s territorial claims.
Military and Local Response
The Philippine Navy and Coast Guard immediately sent teams to assess the situation on-site. Captain Ellaine Rose Collado, a Naval Western Command public affairs officer, explained that the Navy’s priority was to rescue any crew members who might be distressed due to the adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Kalayaan Sangguniang Bayan member and vice mayor-elect Maurice Philip Albayda reported that by 5:30 p.m., a China Coast Guard ship along with two smaller fishing vessels had towed the stranded vessel away. However, Hugo noted concerns remained: “The Chinese vessel was removed but they left a marking on the waters. This should be removed, too.”
Rising Tensions Near Pag-asa Island
Pag-asa Island lies 270 nautical miles west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. It is the largest among the nine features the Philippines occupies in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). The presence of Chinese vessels near this island has steadily increased in recent years, worrying local residents and authorities alike.
The ongoing proximity of Chinese boats to Pag-asa Island continues to fuel concerns over sovereignty and territorial integrity. China claims multiple features in the West Philippine Sea despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its expansive dash-line claims within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
Local leaders and fishermen remain vigilant, urging authorities to monitor and address any unauthorized foreign activities in the area to protect Filipino interests.
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