Alleged Chinese vessels spotted in Infanta, Pangasinan 

Filipino fishermen in Pangasinan now fear for their livelihood and safety as alleged Chinese vessels have been spotted 20 nautical miles from the coastline of Infanta town since Sunday. 

In Jasmin Gabriel-Galban’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, over 2,000 fishermen in Infanta still try to do fishing activities but only at 100 nautical miles away from the town’s coastline. 

The report added that the last time they could fish at the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc was in December.

“Hindi na sila makapasok na doon kasi hinaharang na ng China,” said fisherman Allan Bantolino. 

(They can no longer enter there because it was blocked by China.) 

A fishermen’s group will coordinate with the authorities to confirm whether the spotted vessels were from China. 

Meanwhile, the local government of Infanta has yet to receive a formal report about the sightings. 

“Ang gagawin namin ire-report namin sa higher agency ng ating government,” said Mayor Marvin Hernandez.

(We will report this as well to the higher agency in our government.)  

The alleged presence of Chinese vessels came after Beijing recently imposed a policy that allows its Coast Guard to detain anyone who dares to “trespass” their territorial claims in the South China Sea for up to 60 days amid the ongoing maritime dispute with Manila. —Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News