WPS fishing expedition ended 'safely' despite China ban —PAMALAKAYA

The 20-boat fishing expedition by Zambales fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) ended “safely” despite the unilateral fishing ban of China, fishers group PAMALAKAYA said on Friday. 

PAMALAKAYA Zambales coordinator Joey Marabe told GMA News Online that the participating boats have returned to the shore safely. 

“Matagumpay pong nagawa ang sama-samang pangingisda at [maluwalhating] nakabalik sa dalampasigan,” Arabe said in a message. 

(We did the collective fishing successfully and returned to the shore safely.)

PAMALAKAYA national vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo said there was no Chinese presence during their expedition up to 30 nautical miles away from the coast of Luzon. 

Arambulo also empahasized that Filipino fishermen will continue to fish in the WPS to provide for their families despite China's ban.

“Ang China ay nagmimistulang pinakamalaking pirata sa ating karagatan,” he told Dobol B TV in an interview. 

(China appears to be the biggest pirate in our sea.)

“Harap-harapang ninanakawan ang libo-libong mangingisda sa pamamagitan ng patuloy nilang panghaharass at pagbabawal dyan sa ating WPS lalong-lalo na po sa ating exclusive economic zone,” he added. 

(They have been robbing thousands of fishermen through their continued harassment and prohibition in our WPS, especially in our exclusive economic zone.)

The group's national chairperson Fernando Hicap, meanwhile, said they are calling for the demilitarization of the WPS and acknowledgement of the traditional fishing ground of the fishermen.

“Ang panawagan, demilitarize West Philippine Sea. Kilalanin ang traditional fishing ground ng mga mangingisda,” he told GMA News Online in a separate message.

(Our call is to demilitarize the West Philippine Sea. Respect the traditional fishing ground of the fishermen.)

The group of fishermen in Zambales set sail to the WPS on Thursday afternoon to protest China’s fishing ban in the South China Sea.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier protested China's fishing ban as it violated international law and undermined the country's sovereignty and maritime rights.

Manila said it does not recognize China’s May 1 to September 16 fishing moratorium because it included Manila's maritime zones over which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.

"The Philippines called on China to cease and desist from the conduct of illegal actions that violate the Philippines' sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in its maritime zones," the DFA said in a statement.

It also urged China to "comply with its obligations under international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award; and adhere to its commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea."

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Manila calls parts of the waters within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled that China's claims over the South China Sea has no legal basis, a decision Beijing does not recognize. —KBK/ VAL, GMA Integrated News