MANILA, Philippines - Chinese maritime vessels are
now preventing Filipino fishermen from entering the lagoon of Panatag
Shoal, which the Philippines claims as part of its territory.
“Our fishermen who returned to the area were barred from entering the
lagoon to fish by Chinese maritime vessels," Masinloc town Mayor
Desitree Edora said, adding that the Chinese maritime vessels are using
floodlights to drive away Filipino fishermen.
Edora’s secretary, RJ Bautista, speaking on behalf of the mayor,
complained that while Filipinos are being barred from fishing in the
lagoon, the Chinese maritime vessels are allowing Chinese fishermen to
sail and fish inside the lagoon.
Fearing for their safety, the Filipinos are now fishing outside the lagoon.
“Nasa labas na lamang sila nangingisda dahil pinagbawalan na silang pumasok ng mga Chinese sa loob ng lagoon,” Bautista said.
The last presence of the Filipino fishermen inside the rich fishing
ground after decades of fishing in the area was last April 15, as the
standoff that started last April 10, continue to heat up.
Bautista said local fishermen returned to the area to fish last
Sunday after getting clearance from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG),
who assured them of protection.
“Iniilawan sila ng mga powerful floodlights ng Chinese vessels doon
sa mouth ng lagoon, kaya natatakot silang pumasok,” Bautista said.
As of Sunday, military monitoring of the area showed that there
are already seven Chinese fishing vessels and 23 utility boats
conducting destructive fishing activities inside the lagoon.
Outside, two Chinese Maritime Surveillance ships (CMS) 75 and CMS 81
are guarding the mouth of the lagoon with their FLEC 310 (Fisheries Law
Enforcement Command) ship pre-positioned not far away.
The Philippines, on the other hand, maintaining that the area is
within the country’s territorial domain, has deployed two vessels in the
area -- the BRP EDSA 2 of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the
Maritime Control Ship 3001 (MCS-3001) of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Maintaining a non-confrontational stance, the military leadership in
Northern Luzon said it could not comment on the issue because they don’t
have any information yet on the matter.
The Armed Forces' NOrthern Luzon Command (Nolcom), under Lt. Gen.
Anthony Alcantara, has operational jurisdiction over Panatag Shoal.
“As to that report, we have no information on that, so we cannot comment on it,” Capt. Aurelio Kigis, Nolcom spokesman, said.
