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Cristina Chi - Philstar.com
March 24, 2026 | 10:51am
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said it has documented for the first time the China Coast Guard announcing its plan to carry out a "clearing operation" in the waters near Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishers.
Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said Tuesday, March 24, that the warning was delivered via live radio broadcast picked up by the Philippine side during a patrol flight.
The "clearing operation" specified four coordinates delineating an area in the southern portion of Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, according to Tarriela's statement.
An image released by the PCG based on the coordinates shows that the specified zone forms a rectangle.
This image shows the Philippine Coast Guard's report of Chinese vessels monitored near Scarborough Shoal. The red rectangle is an illustration of the coordinates given by the Chinese side allegedly for "clearing operations," March 24, 2026.
Philippine Coast Guard
The PCG patrol flight also documented six CCG vessels, 20 Chinese maritime militia ships, and one People’s Liberation Army Navy warship operating in the vicinity.
The aerial surveillance, Tarriela said, came after more than 20 Filipino fishing boats reported being harassed by Chinese Coast Guard speedboats over the weekend.
The PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources responded to the reports of harassment with a deployment of two PCG vessels and five BFAR vessels to Scarborough Shoal, Tarriela said.
"The joint PCG-BFAR deployment ensured the safety and security of the Filipino fishermen while delivering vital support, including fuel subsidies, food packs, and ice to extend their fishing operations and help offset rising fuel costs," the PCG spokesperson said.
Last week, Chinese vessels similarly shadowed Filipino fishermen and deployed rigid hull inflatable boats to chase them away from the area. This was also the first time the PLA Air Force, rather than just naval ships, challenged a coast guard patrol aircraft by radio, the PCG said.
