THE China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are conducting a joint maritime search and rescue operation following the capsizing of a foreign cargo vessel near Huangyan Dao (Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal) on Jan. 23, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said on Saturday.
The CCG and several crew members fell into the water after the vessel overturned. As of the latest update, four crew members remain missing.
The CCG said its vessels, Dongsha and Sanmen, were immediately deployed to the area to carry out search and rescue operations.
The Philippine Coast Guard later joined the effort after PCG vessel BRP Cape San Agustin (PCG-9701) arrived at the scene on the evening of Jan. 23.
Rescue teams from both countries are conducting a coordinated, sector-by-sector search of the waters surrounding the incident site in an effort to locate the missing crew members.
The operation includes surface searches and continuous monitoring of the surrounding sea conditions.
Huangyan Dao lies in a contested area of the South China Sea, referred to by the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.
Despite ongoing maritime disputes in the region, both coast guards proceeded with joint humanitarian operations, underscoring cooperation in maritime safety and emergency response.
Authorities have not yet released details on the nationality of the vessel’s crew or the cause of the capsizing.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing as conditions permit.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions but highlights the role of coast guards in upholding maritime safety and responding to emergencies regardless of jurisdictional disputes.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Saturday said Philippine officials would continue to speak out against what she described as China’s “wrongdoings” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stressing that defending national sovereignty should not be constrained by diplomatic sensitivities.
Hontiveros made the statement in response to a strongly worded remark from the Chinese Embassy in Manila, which criticized recent public statements by Philippine officials regarding China’s actions in disputed waters.
“We cannot remain silent. Commodore Tarriela cannot remain silent. We cannot stop because it might hurt the feelings of the Chinese Embassy,” Hontiveros said, referring to Jay Tarriela, the spokesman for the PCG on the West Philippine Sea. “It is our duty to uphold the interests of the Philippines and our Filipinos.”
Her remarks came amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing following repeated incidents in the West Philippine Sea, including confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels near disputed features. The area, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), remains a focal point of competing maritime claims.
Deputy spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Guo Wei, rejected accusations against Beijing and warned against what he described as irresponsible rhetoric.
“No one wants to silence you, and no one should be silenced,” Guo said. “But freedom of speech is not a license to recklessly defame or attack others, let alone the head of state of another country — this is completely unacceptable.”
Guo added that China’s Foreign Ministry had summoned the Philippine ambassador in Beijing to lodge a “strong protest” over what it called “attacks and smears” against the Chinese leader, saying that Philippine officials had “crossed the line.”
