Walden Bello says PCG barred Scarborough visit; PCG denies, but says trip needs permission

Vice presidential bet Professor Walden Bello on Monday slammed the Philippine Coast Guard for supposedly prohibiting him from visiting Scarborough Shoal, while the PCG said that its permission was not sought prior to the trip.

In a press conference in Zambales, Bello said that he and his team, along with several members of the media, were set to leave for Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, April 10, after they were invited by the local fisherfolk to visit the area where they were said to be “frequently harassed by the Chinese coast guard.”

However, Bello said, on Friday their boat captain called off the trip.

“Sir, humihingi po ako ng paumanhin, sir, negative npo ung usapan natin, pinuntahan po ako ng coastguard. Sorry po sir, ako rin po at bangka ang malalagot,” the text sent to Bello's local organizer read.

(Sir, I apologize. Our plan was is negative. The Coast Guard went to see me. I'm sorry, sir. It will be me and the boat that will be put at risk.)

Bello said they tried to look for another boat to accommodate them, but claimed that the PCG had asked the local boat operators not to do so.

“We were told that the Coast Guard had actually summoned all boat operators for a meeting that very morning, warning them against taking us and threatening to punish them. They were told that their license only allows them to fish and that taking other passengers with them would be in violation of regulations,” he said.

He then maintained that prohibiting Filipinos from going to the Scarborough Shoal was not against the law, stressing that what the PCG did was “obviously nothing but a barefaced attempt to bully and intimidate” the fishermen.

“Why is the Philippine Coast Guard doing China’s bidding and enforcing the orders of the Chinese government to prevent people from reaching Scarborough Shoal? Why are they so afraid of letting more people know about the situation faced by local fisherfolk there? Why do they not want Filipinos to visit Philippine territory? Why are our authorities defending the interests of China instead of the interests of the Philippines?” he asked.

In a message to GMA News Online, PCG spokesperson CG Commodore Armando Balilo said that they did not receive any information that Bello was planning to go to Scarborough Shoal.

He said people are allowed to visit the area as long as they ask for permission.

"Wala kaming info na pupunta siya. Pwede naman basta magpaalam," Balilo said.

“Basta appropriate vessel para hindi naman sila malagay sa alanganin. Priority natin yung safety nila,” he added.

(We were not informed that he was planning to go there. They can do so as long as they seek permission and they use the appropriate vessel so that they won’t get into an accident. Their safety is our priority.)

Dr. Ben Molino from Bello’s camp added that he was told by the fishermen that this was the first time something like this had happened.

“Tinanong ko sila nung isang araw kung dati ba pinaguusapan ‘yung mga bagay na ito. Sabi ng mga may-ari ng bangka, ‘Hindi po, ngayon lang binigay sa amin ‘yung sinasabing order,’” Molino added.

(I asked the fishermen if such matters were discussed previously. They said no and that this has been the only time such an order was given to them.)

'Act of treachery'

Bello said they have not yet talked with the PCG regarding the matter, fearing that the agency might prohibit them from conducting a press conference along with several local fishermen.

“Kailangang kailangan na malaman ng bayan kung ano talaga ang ginagawa ng Coast Guard [It is important for the public to know what the PCG is doing]. The Coast Guard is doing the work of the Chinese,” he said.

Bello called the incident an “act of treachery” by the government.

“I join local fisherfolk here in Zambales in denouncing this latest act of treachery by our own government. I reiterate our commitment to stand with our local fisherfolk against Chinese aggression. And I affirm our call for a lasting and comprehensive solution to the problem in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

The Philippines in March filed a diplomatic protest against China over a reported “close distance maneuvering” incident involving a Chinese vessel at Scarborough Shoal, also known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

China maintained that it has sovereign rights over Scarborough Shoal and that it is “China’s inherent territory.”

On the other hand, Malacañang said the Philippines "continues to exercise full sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc and its territorial sea, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the surrounding exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf."

The Philippine government sued China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2013. The court ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.

In the same ruling, the court ruled that the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and Recto (Reed) Bank are within the Philippines' EEZ.

The court also deemed Panatag Shoal as a common fishing ground and outlawed China's aggression toward Filipino fishermen there.

Beijing does not recognize the ruling. — BM, GMA News