The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed Tuesday the first harassment incident of 2026 involving Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea after a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship allegedly blocked a local fishing boat near Bajo de Masinloc. “There was a harassment incident yesterday in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. A fishing boat, Prince LJ, was harassed by the China Coast Guard and a PLA Navy ship at around 12 noon, and this went on until 3 p.m.,” Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said.

Espiritu, R. (2026, January 14). AFP reports 1st harassment incident in WPS. Manila Standard, p. A3.