On October 4, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that while the PCG, the navy and the police were pursuing a foreign fishing boat suspected of blast fishing near Thitu Island, they were blocked by two Chinese coast guard ships, one of which at one point came within about 9 meters of the Philippine speedboat, and a PLA Navy helicopter circled the area four times. The fishing boat headed in the direction of Subi Reef, and the Philippine side stopped the pursuit for safety reasons, saying the matter will be handled through diplomatic channels.