In a rare show of compassion, Chinese navy members assisted a distressed Filipino fisherman in the West Philippine Sea on Christmas Day. They provided bottled water and food to the man who had written a 'help me' sign on his small boat. While the fisherman expressed thanks, the Philippine Coast Guard questioned the Chinese vessel's presence in the area.
The incident occurred on December 25 in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea. According to the Chinese embassy in Manila, the Chinese navy ship 174 provided swift humanitarian assistance to a distressed Philippine fishing vessel. It delivered essential food and water to the fisherman, Larry Tumalis, who had been stranded for three days due to engine failure, while coordinating follow-up support with the Philippine Coast Guard.
Videos shared by the embassy show Chinese soldiers in a rigid hull inflatable boat handing supplies to the boat marked Akia Shanae. The fisherman is heard repeatedly saying 'thank you' and exchanging 'merry Christmas' greetings. A Chinese navy soldier said, 'Enough food and water for you, don’t be worried,' while tossing the supplies. The fisherman replied, 'I’m stay here,' apparently declining an offer to take him to a safer location.
However, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) disputed aspects of the report. PCG spokesperson on West Philippine Sea issues, Commodore Jay Tarriela, confirmed the incident and stated that the agency 'acknowledge(s) and appreciate(s) the humanitarian gesture' of the People's Liberation Army Navy's Luyang III-class guided-missile destroyer with bow number 174, which provided a bottle of water and three packs of biscuits. Yet, he noted that the fisherman became frightened when the warship launched a RHIB, prompting him to write 'HELP ME' using carbon deposits scraped from his engine’s exhaust pipe.
The location was approximately 71 nautical miles west of Silanguin Island, Zambales, well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Tarriela emphasized that the PLA Navy ship had no legitimate reason to operate there, highlighting ongoing territorial tensions in the disputed waters.