Pinoy fishermen fearful as Chinese vessels remain on guard in WPS

Filipino fishermen in the Sabina Shoal are worried over their livelihood as they lament that they were not able to make a catch for three months as Chinese vessels continue to make their presence felt in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

“Balitang balita na huhulihin daw yung mga mangingisda sa West Philippine Sea. Kaya po natakot kami, kahit mahirap, talagang tiniis namin para lang hindi mahuli, hindi muna nagpalaot,” a fisherman said in Raffy Tima’s report in 24 Oras on Monday. 

(We heard that they will arrest the fishermen at the West Philippine Sea. We were very afraid and we endured not doing any fishing activities so we will not be arrested.) 

The Sabina Shoal is on the usual route going to the Ayungin Shoal where the BRP Sierra Madre is situated. 

But the Chinese vessels, including their coast guard's so-called monster ship, have been guarding every move of the BRP Datu Pagbuaya of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Inflatable boats of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) had faced each other at the Sabina Shoal while BFAR was distributing fuel and supplies to Filipino fishermen.

The CCG also repeatedly called out BFAR via radio, but the latter ignored it.

“You are in the sea area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China, please inform us the purpose of your visit to this sea area, over,” the CCG said.

The waters are well within the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ.

But the Filipino fishermen are hoping that the PCG will continue to guard them so they are able to do their fish in the waters.

Meanwhile, fishermen from Pag-asa Island cannot even go near the Sandy Cay also because of the presence of more than 30 Chinese militia vessels and a CCG ship.

As the BFAR and the PCG roamed at the West Philippine Sea, the CCG followed them and forced them to leave, the report said.

“This is China Coast Guard. you have entered the sea area under the People's Republic of China, please sail away immediately,” the CCG called out.

The PCG said that there is still no threat of arrest from China.

“On the part of the Philippine Government, we are still asserting our position in these waters,” said PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.

“Wala pa naman tayong nababalitaan or naire-report ang ating mga kababayang mangingisda na sumailalim sila sa ganitong harassment ng Chinese Coast Guard.”

(We haven’t heard any reports of Filipino fishermen being harassed that way by the Chinese Coast Guard.)

GMA Integrated News also joined an aerial patrol over a man-made island Subi Reef created by China in 2013 that is only 20 kilometers away from Pag-asa Island. It currently has a military facility complete with buildings, radar stations and an airfield. —Vince Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News