A dispute broke out between the Chinese and Philippines Coast Guards on Saturday when a Filipino fishing craft issued a distress call after its engine exploded near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
Two of the fishers were reportedly injured from the blast.
Both Chinese and Philippines coast guard ships responded to the distress call but how they behaved once they got to the scene is in dispute:
- THE PHILIPPINES SIDE OF THE STORY: “During the rescue operation, the Chinese Coast Guard deployed two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) not to assist the PCG, but to obstruct and hinder their efforts in rescuing the two injured Filipino fishermen, who suffered second-degree burns. Despite the interference from the Chinese Coast Guard, the PCG, in close coordination with the Filipino fishermen, managed to outmaneuver the RHIBs and successfully transfer the injured fishermen for immediate first aid.” (@JAYTARYELA)
- THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE STORY: The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday assisted two Filipino fishermen injured in waters adjacent to China’s Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, the CCG announced on Sunday. The Filipino fishermen sustained injuries when an engine exploded on their boat, and their situation became dire. As soon as they were spotted, two CCG vessels patrolling the area approached the site, prepared a lifeboat, and dropped buoys and life jackets to the sea. The CCG later informed the Philippine side about the incident, it said, adding that the Philippine vessel expressed gratitude for the CCG’s act of humanitarianism via radio. (XINHUA)
