<p>The Chinese Coast Guard reportedly drove off Filipino fishermen in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, weeks after President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. reached an agreement with China.</p>
<p>On Facebook, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shared a video of the maritime incident, which took place last January 9, days after Marcos Jr. visited China.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The video showed a CCG vessel 5204 and a speed boat allegedly driving the fishermen away.</p>
<p>"On 20 January 2023, Filipino fishing boat (FFB) KEN-KEN boat captain, Mr. Lito Al-os, reported to the PCG that CCGV 5204 allegedly drove them away while fishing in the vicinity waters off Ayungin Shoal on 09 January 2023," the PCG said.&nbsp;</p>
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<div dir="auto">"Accordingly, CCGV 5204 maneuvered towards FFB KEN-KEN at a distance of approximately 800 yards and deployed a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)."</div>
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<p>The Ayungin Shoal is part of the country's exclusive economic zone, an area in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) reportedly occupied by China.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The PCG said the fisherfolk&rsquo;s statements will be forwarded to the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in case the country would file a diplomatic protest.</p>
<p>"It was wrong to drive them away. We will try to inquire further. Afterward, that is when we will give a conclusive statement on what happened," said PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo.</p>
<p>During his state visit in Beijing, the President said&nbsp;the joint agreement between the Philippines and China in elevating the "direct communication line" is geared at <a href="https://dzrh.com.ph/post/ph-china-to-elevate-'communication-line'-on-concerns-over-wps-pbbm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">avoiding incidents</a> in the West Philippine Sea.</p>

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Chinese coast guard drives off Pinoy fishing boat in Ayungin Shoal