A Chinese fishing vessel ran aground near Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday afternoon during rough sea conditions.
According to the local government, the vessel was stuck at low tide but was later pulled out by two other Chinese fishing militia boats by early evening. Kalayaan Island Group councilor MP Albayda noted that some floating buoys were left behind and could not be retrieved due to strong waves.
The incident drew concern among residents, some of whom questioned whether the grounding was accidental or deliberate. Photos of the vessel were shared online by local resident Larry Hugo.
The Philippine Coast Guard responded after local fishermen alerted authorities, deploying personnel to inspect the incident. Naval Task Force 42 spokesperson Capt. Elaine Rose Collado confirmed that forces were dispatched to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro visited Balabac, Palawan, to inspect the site of a planned airbase and naval station. He emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining presence in the area, a recognized international sea lane that is frequently traversed by Chinese vessels.
Balabac is one of the sites included in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the U.S., aimed at boosting joint training and disaster response.
The incident adds to the Philippines’ ongoing maritime dispute with China, which continues to assert expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line.