20 Zambales fishermen set sail to protest Chinese fishing ban in South China Sea

A group of 20 fishermen from Zambales on Thursday sailed for the Bajo Masinloc to protest against China’s fishing ban in the South China Sea.

Belonging to the activist group PAMALAKAYA, the collective fishing expedition held mass before leaving the coastal town of Masinloc, Zambales in their small wooden boats to assert their rights to the West Philippine Sea.

One of the participants is Efren Forones, who has been fishing in Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal since 1995.

Forones said he was not deterred even though a Chinese Navy ship almost crashed into his boat two weeks ago.

“Kamuntik na akong mabangga ng navy ng China, hindi sila nag ilaw. Kung hindi tayo lalaban e ‘di sa kanila na yan. Kung hindi natin puntahan yang Scarborough (Shoal) talagang mapunta sa kanila 'yan,” Forones said.

(The Chinese Navy almost crashed into my boat because they did not have any lights on. If we do not fight for it, the Bajo de Masiloc will be theirs. If we do not go to Scarborough, they will take it.)

Ryan Eclevia, who has been fishing for 15 years, prepared his boat early Thursday morning for the protest against China.

He said he is not afraid to go to Bajo de Masinloc since he considers it as Philippine territory.

PAMALAKAYA aims to sail 20 to 30 nautical miles away from the coast of Luzon, travel time of about two to three hours. Their fishing will coincide with their protest against China.

The group said they are particularly against the Chinese declaration of a fishing ban from May 1 to September 16 and its threat that its coast guard will detain what it claims to be foreign trespassers in the South China Sea without trial.

“Wala silang batayan at walang legal na batayan para magpatupad sila ng direktiba sa hindi naman nila teritoryo,” PAMALAKAYA chairman Fernando Hicap said.

(They do not have any legal basis to implement a directive in territory that is not even theirs.)

The fishers group is expected to return on Friday morning, where a program will be held on National Fisherfolks Day.

In a statement, Pilipinong Nagkakaisa para sa Soberanya (P1NAS), a group that advocates national sovereignty, said the fishing expedition aims to raise awareness and put pressure on the government to defend the country’s sovereign rights over its sovereign territory.

"This collective fishing activity is a legitimate and patriotic assertion of our rights against China's bullying tactics and unlawful claims,” P1NAS spokesperson Antonio Tinio said.

"Any attempt to impede or threaten our fisherfolk would be a clear violation of our rights and maritime entitlements,” he added.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela earlier said the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will intensify their presence in Bajo de Masinloc to ensure Filipino fisherfolk can still fish in the area despite the implementation of China’s fishing moratorium.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News