The China Coast Guard (CCG) claimed that Philippine fishing boats at the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal could damage their "environmental reserve", a Philippine Coast Guard official said Tuesday.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the West Philippine Sea reported that the CCG alleged its ''environmental reserve'' in their radio challenge to the Philippine vessels conducting humanitarian support missions for the Filipino fishermen near the vicinity of the shoal on Monday.

"For the first time, the PCG documented a CCG radio challenge claiming that the presence of Philippine fishing boats could damage their so-called "environmental reserve". In response, the PCG firmly asserted that Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine archipelago, and only the Philippine government holds the authority to designate environmental protection areas in these waters," he said.

Last month, the State Council of China reportedly approved the creation of a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal that is just 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales.

The Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs strongly protested the State Council of China's approval for the establishment of the so-called "Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve".

"The Philippines will be issuing a formal diplomatic protest against this illegitimate and unlawful action by China as it clearly infringes upon the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law," it stated.

Tarriela said during the distribution of fuel subsidies, food supplies, and crushed ice to Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal, Philippine vessels encountered dangerous maneuvers and blocking actions from 11 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and 11 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels, one People's Liberation Army - Navy (PLA-N) helicopter, and three PLA-N vessels, delaying the delivery process.

The Philippine vessels deployed in Scarborough Shoal for the humanitarian mission include PCG vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cape San Agustin, alongside the M/V Mamalakaya and six BFAR patrol boats.

Aside from the humanitarian mission in Scarborough Shoal, other Philippine vessels including PCG's BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cabra, supported by five BFAR patrol boats also delivered supplies to fishermen in Escoda Shoal on the same day.

"At Escoda Shoal, the situation was equally tense, with the CCG deploying 10 vessels and 10 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels, one PLA-N helicopter, two PLA-N vessels, and one high-speed response boat to obstruct the aid effort," he said.

"There were documented instances of CCG vessels activating water cannons to threaten and intimidate Filipino fishermen," he added, noting that the mission concluded successfully at 7 pm of the same day.

Despite continued challenges, Admiral Ronniel Gil Gavan, PCG Commandant, reiterated that the top priority is to safeguard the livelihoods of the Filipino fishermen from any interference by the China Coast Guard and to ensure their rights as Filipinos are never suppressed by external bullying".

"The PCG and BFAR remain steadfast in our duty to protect the safety and security of every Filipino fisherman," Gavan said.

"We stand firmly with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in defending every square inch of our sovereign territory against any foreign power," he added. Robina Asido/DMS