The accident was caused by an engine explosion on a fishing boat, leaving two fishermen seriously injured and nearly sinking the boat.
“A coast guard vessel quickly arrived at the scene of the distressed Philippine fishing boat, freed the small boat and carried out rescue operations,” a narrator in the roughly two-minute video clip from the China Coast Guard said.
The video showed two rigid-hulled rubber boats being deployed from the Coast Guard’s Patrol Vessel No. 3105. The boats approached the sinking ship, and uniformed officers on board were seen tossing life rings and life jackets to people in the water.
However, the Philippine Coast Guard denied China’s version of the incident.
“Despite obstruction by the China Coast Guard, the PCG has been working closely with the Filipino fishermen to [Chinese boats] “We were able to immediately transport the injured fishermen for emergency treatment,” the post said.
A video posted by Tarriera showed the Philippine Coast Guard towing the fishing boat, while patrol boats and smaller boats from the Philippine Coast Guard kept watch.
Scarborough Shoal, known by China as Huangyan Island and the Philippines as Panatag Shoal, has long been the focus of a maritime dispute between the two countries. A weeks-long standoff in 2012 sparked a diplomatic crisis and China has maintained control of the reef ever since.
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Livelihoods lost: Fishermen trapped in Scarborough Shoal conflict
Livelihoods lost: Fishermen trapped in Scarborough Shoal conflict
The dispute also prompted Manila to take legal action at the Hague-based arbitration tribunal, which ruled in its favour in 2016. But Beijing did not join the proceedings or accept the ruling.
Tensions flared again last year after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shifted from the policies of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, and strengthened a defense alliance with the United States to counter Beijing’s maritime assertiveness.
Eight Filipino sailors were injured in the collision, including one who lost a thumb.
