On Saturday, March 23, a Chinese Navy helicopter identified by tail No. 57, aggressively harassed Filipino researchers conducting a vital survey near Pag-asa Island.
Witnesses, including invited Japanese journalists, observed the helicopter dangerously hovering just 20 meters above the researchers as they diligently worked on Cays 3 and 4, part of the sandbars off Pag-asa.
The incident, which lasted over five minutes, created panic among the researchers, with sand and corals splashing as the chopper loomed overhead.
In one particularly alarming video captured by the Japanese journalists, Filipino researchers could be seen scrambling for cover as the chopper hovered menacingly overhead, its rotor blades kicking up a storm of debris.
This latest act of aggression comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing tensions in the region, with Filipino fishermen reporting repeated instances of harassment and intimidation by Chinese ships, which often prevent them from accessing these vital fishing grounds near Pag-asa Island. These sandbars are not only crucial for marine biodiversity but also serve as a primary source of livelihood for local fishing communities.
The Filipino researchers, who are members of a joint marine research expedition involving the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development, were tasked with assessing the underwater reef biodiversity in the area.
Their mission is important for understanding and protecting the delicate marine ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea.
However, this mission has been repeatedly hampered by acts of aggression from Chinese forces, both naval and coast guard, as well as militia vessels. The Chinese coast guard and militia ships have consistently shadowed BFAR vessels, including the Datu Sanday (MMOV-3002) and Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV-3003), as well as their rubber boats tasked with transporting the researchers to the sandbars.
Intimidation tactics, such as blowing horns and exchanging radio challenges, have become commonplace, promoting a hostile environment for Filipino researchers and fishermen alike.
The timing of this latest incident is particularly concerning, as it occurred on the same day that China Coast Guard (CCG) ships assaulted a Philippine supply boat with water cannons near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, further fueling tensions in the region.
The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in the West Philippine Sea, with concerns growing over China’s increasingly assertive actions in the contested waters.