Zambales fisherfolk concerned about 'fishing challenges' amid WPS tension —NSC

Some fishermen in Zambales expressed concerns over the challenges in catching fish in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid the harassment by Chinese vessels, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the NSC said the agency had a meeting with more than 150 fisherfolk from the coastal communities of Subic, Santa Cruz, and Masinloc, Zambales on Tuesday.

“The Zambales fisherfolk were given the opportunity to ask questions and relay their sentiments directly to the speakers. Many expressed their concerns regarding fishing challenges in the WPS, especially in Bajo de Masinloc,” the NSC said.

According to the NSC, the Fisherfolk Congress was held at the Subic Municipal Gymnasium to empower the communities to advocate for maritime peace, safety, and sustainable fishing practices in the WPS.

NSC spokesperson Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told the fishermen that the government increased its presence in the area.

“We also told them that we have increased the PCG/BFAR rotational presence in Bajo de Masinloc to ensure PH government presence in the WPS in the face of harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard,” Malaya said.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela, meanwhile, shared the agency’s efforts for the safety and security of fishing communities within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) spokesperson Nazario Briguera also presented them with some ongoing projects for the livelihoods of fisherfolk.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año thanked the fishermen for their hard work and resilience. He said they can rely on the government amid typhoons and maritime threats in the WPS.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Navy said the number of Chinese ships in the WPS reached another record-high for this year at 251.

Tensions continue amid China’s massive claim in the South China Sea (SCS), including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea.

The SCS is a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping claims in the area with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has not recognized the decision. --Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News