PH Navy to fishers: Don't be afraid, the gov't is behind you

The Philippine Navy on Wednesday assured Filipino fishermen that the government will protect them following China’s unilateral fishing ban in the highly disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

“Huwag kayo matakot magpatuloy lang kayo, the AFP and the entire government is behind you,” said Philippine Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent in Jun Veneracion’s report on "24 Oras."

(Don’t be afraid to go on with your fishing, the AFP and the entire government are behind you.) 

China imposed a fishing ban in the contested waters of the South China Sea from May 1 to 16. The said moratorium came a week after it announced it would arrest foreigners who would trespass in the areas it claims in the South China Sea. 

“China is out of tune, out of step, out of their minds,” said Trinidad. 

But since Beijing declared an annual fishing ban in the WPS in 2021, the Navy said that it doesn’t seem to be really implemented. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vowed to strengthen their monitoring in the WPS, especially in the Panatag Shoal. 

“We don't recognize this fishing ban. No reason to prevent our fishermen from fishing just because China says so. Again, iligal at walang basehan (Again, this is illegal and has no basis),” said PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela. 

BFAR pointed out that 7% of the country’s national fisheries production comes from the West Philippine Sea. 

“Wala pa namang epekto ito sa suplay sa ngayon,” said BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera. “Walang dapat pumigil sa ating mangingisda na maglayag doon sa West Philippine Sea.” 

(The ban has no effect on the supply yet. But no one should stop our fishermen from doing their fishing in the WPS.) 

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ report, Filipino fishers seemed to continue their fishing activities, particularly in the Panatag Shoal. 

In its latest monitoring, there are only 19 Chinese vessels in Panatag Shoal. This is less than the 55 vessels spotted from May 14 to 20. 

Authorities said the decline in the number was noticed after the civilian mission of Atin Ito Coalition. 

But there were Chinese vessels present at the Sabina Shoal and the Julian Felipe Reef. 

The AFP assured that it has already strengthened its deployment of naval assets in the WPS even before the latest fishing ban. 

“We affirm that it is well within the rights of our people to fish or sail within our territorial waters,” said AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla.

Worrisome 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that China's policy to detain trespassers in the WPS starting June 15 is an "escalation of the situation" and "worrisome." 

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry said that the regulation rolled by its Coast Guard is “consistent with universal practices.” 

“Individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit,” said China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. 

“Let me stress that it is the Philippines, not China, that has escalated the situation and made repeated provocations in the South China Sea.” 

Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. 

The 2016 arbitration ruling upheld the Philippines' exclusive economic zone over China's historical claims in the disputed South China Sea under UNCLOS. But China has never recognized the decision.—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News