00:00In the meantime, tensions continue to simmer in the West Philippine Sea as Filipino fishermen find themselves caught between a
00:06rock and a hard place.
00:08Authorities say foreign vessels are stepping up aggressive maneuvers near Scarborough Shoal,
00:14prompting increased patrols and support operations to safeguard local fishermen.
00:19Patrick De Jesus says it all.
00:25China has carried out another act of harassment at Scarborough Shoal or in this video taken by fishermen on Tuesday.
00:34A massive China Coast Guard vessel can be seen chasing them.
00:38Two more CCG vessels also blocked them, which later deployed a rigid hull inflatable boat or RIB to drive away
00:45the Filipino fishermen's boat.
00:53A Chinese maritime militia vessel also joined the harassment.
00:58You can just imagine na ito ay mga wooden Filipino fishing boats and they have to deal with a 130
01:06-meter China Coast Guard vessel na gawa sa bakal.
01:09So it's still very dangerous.
01:11According to the Philippine Coast Guard, they have already deployed two 44-meter vessels along with eight more from the
01:19Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
01:22Hindi lamang para makapagbigay ng seguridad sa ating mga maingista, but also for us to provide yung ayuda.
01:29Dahil alam naman natin tumataas ang presyo ng fuel and the ordinary Filipino fishermen are directly impacted with this price
01:39increase.
01:39This Wednesday, the PCG also conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness or MDA flight over Bajo de Masinloc with PTV news
01:49among those on board.
01:51The PCG had earlier assured that even with cost-cutting measures due to the continuing rise in petroleum prices brought
01:59about by tensions in the Middle East,
02:01the deployment of their vessels and other assets will remain a priority for patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
02:09PCG pilots asserted the Philippines' rights over Scarborough Shoal in response to the repeated radio challenges from China's PLA Navy,
02:18one of which came from the PLA Air Force.
02:50Also joining the MDA flight was another BIFAR aircraft which also responded to China's radio challenges.
03:12Three PLA Navy warships, five CCG vessels, and two Chinese maritime militia vessels remained positioned around Bajo de Masinloc.
03:22The Chinese floating buoy was also spotted again.
03:25From the West Philippine Sea, Patrick De Jesus.
03:29From the National TV Network, for a new and better Philippines.
