Group wants gov't to punish owners of Chinese dredger seized in Bataan

Fishers’ group Pamalakaya on Sunday called on government authorities to punish to the “fullest extent of the law” owners of the apprehended Chinese dredger in Bataan Province.

In a statement, Pamalakaya noted that the MV Zhonhai 68, a Chinese vessel seized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday, was not the only dredging vessel operating in the Philippine waters.

“Local fishers have been lamenting the decrease in fish catch due to rampant dredging operations in the provinces of Zambales and Bataan,” Pamalakaya vice chairperson for Luzon Bobby Roldan said.

“This operation harms the marine life through excavation of seabed and movement of solid particles, noise pollution, and blurring of water that drive away the fish,” he added.

According to Roldan, the province’s fishing grounds used to be abundant with fish and other marine resources.

He said it also serves as alternative fishing grounds for local fishers who are unable to go farther due to presence of Chinese vessels and militias in the Beijing-claimed Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

For Roldan, the illegal presence and operations of the Chinese dredger is a “highest violation” to the national territory and patrimony.

“Iligal na nga ang pagpasok sa ating teritoryo, nandadambong pa ng ating likas-yaman. Pero sila pa ang may ganang magpasa ng batas laban sa ituturing nilang dayuhan sa inaangking teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea,” Roldan said.

He was referring to China’s new law that explicitly allows the Chinese Coast Guard to open fire on foreign vessels in disputed seas.

Last year, MV Zhong Hai 69 Alfa (ZH 69) ran aground off the coast of Botolan, Zambales, causing the catch of small fishers in the province to decrease due to its presence, according to the group.

The ship was allegedly carrying and transporting dredged materials from Bucao River to Botolan’s neighboring coastal town Cabangan, Zambales, it added.

Due to this, PAMALAKAYA urged Philippine authorities to stop, seize, and punish every Chinese dredging vessel operating in the Philippine waters.

“There is a clear and present threat to our sovereignty, marine environment, and socio-economic rights of Filipino fishers,” Roldan said.

“Authorities, especially the armed forces, are supposed to be keeping watch and guarding our national sovereignty, not busying itself with senseless red-tagging and anti-insurgency operations against civilians and activists in urban areas,” he added.

On Thursday, the Bureau of Customs said it will issue a warrant of seizure and detention against the illegal and unauthorized Chinese dredger vessel in Bataan. —LBG, GMA News