PHL verifying ‘fresh harassment’ vs. Pinoy fishermen in disputed sea

Authorities are verifying the claim of some fishermen in Mariveles, Bataan of a recent "harassment" by Chinese Coast Guard against Filipinos in disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea, a Malacañang official said.

In an interview on "Unang Balita" on Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said proper authorities are verifying the alleged "harassment."

"What's important is to verify the circumstances not just the actual facts. But the circumstances behind that ... in which case we refer to the NDNSA," Secretary Abella said.

A group of fishermen from Mariveles town in Bataan claimed that a Chinese Coast Guard speedboat circled them near Union Reef and made warning shots to drive them away.

Unang Balita quoted a fisherman from Mariveles as saying that they were pulling near Union Reef when a speedboat suddenly appeared and chased them away.

They said the speedboat circled their boats, fired warning shots and signaled them to stay away. They suspect that the Chinese Coast Guard is securing a marine construction site in the area.

But the Palace said the Department of Foreign Affairs will verify the report.

The Chinese Coast Guard had previously chased Filipino fishermen away at Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

China claims about 90 percent of the South China Sea, displaying its reach on official maps with a so-called nine-dash line that stretches deep into the maritime heart of Southeast Asia.

In 2016, the Philippines won a case it filed before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Netherlands seeking to invalidate China's massive claim over the South China Sea, but China refused to accept the ruling.

The Philippines and China are expected to discuss the bilateral mechanism on the South China Sea issue this coming May, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in March. —LBG/KG, GMA News