Pangasinan fishers take turn to cry catch-snatching, unfair barter with China coast guard

More fishermen, this time from Pangasinan, accused members of the Chinese Coast Guard of taking the best of their catch in Scarborough Shoal in exchange for a few packs of instant noodles and cigarettes, and cheap alcohol.

According to Bam Alegre's report on "24 Oras", Pangasinan fishermen recounted their own experience of unfair barter trade with the Chinese in the waters well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

One video of the Chinese taking high quality fish in May showed the members of the foreign coast guard leaving without giving the Filipino fishers in return.

"'Yung rubber boat na 'yun, 'yung malalaking tao din na China, 'yung kukuha ng isda, totoo 'yun. Madalas umakyat sa akin. Siyempre matitira sa amin 'yung mumurahin, ano pang ibebenta namin?" said fisherman Rubinado Querubin.

Querubin recalled instances when the Chinese gave them two packs of noodles, some cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.

"Pag nakakuha na lang tanggapin na lang namin... dalawang noodles na bigay, dalawang kahang sigarilyo, minsan alak," he said.

Another fisherman Norman Torres said the Chinese were always picking the best kind of fish.

"Marami kasi ganoon kataas 'yung tray halos mapuno ng isda... talakitok, pulahan, maya maya, mulmol... pinipili nila magagandang klase, 'yung alam nilang mahal," Torres said.

Romulo Etac said there were also when they succeeded in turning away the Chinese who wanted to get their catch.

"Tinakpan din niya sa styrofoam sa bodega kung kailangan ipitin ang kamay, ipitin niya. Eh di walang nagawa, aalis din sila. Gusto nila magpalit ng pagkain ang ipapalit isang sigarilyo, isang noodles? Papayag ka ba run?" Etac said.

Previous reports noted similar incidents in the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

The Duterte administration has taken up the issue before the Chinese government.

China, for its part, said its coast guard vessels were at the shoal to maintain peace and that the Chinese Coast Guard “had many times provided humanitarian assistance to Philippine fishermen.” —NB, GMA News