Pinoy fishers afraid to go to Kalayaan Islands with Chinese vessels’ presence —WesCom

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command (Wescom) on Sunday said Filipino fishermen are scared of fishing in Kalayaan Islands due to the presence of Chinese vessels.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Wescom commander Rear Admiral Ramil Enriquez made the statement after they finished the investigation on the alleged harassment a local fisherman experienced recently.

“Kagagaling lang isa nating eroplano ng Philippine Air Force na nag-patrolya doon para ma-verify kung nandoon pa ba ang mga barko. Nandoon pa rin naman sila,” Enriquez said.

“'Yung mga mangingisda ay nakakapangisda pa rin naman. Natatakot lang siguro talaga sila dahil nandoon sa area ng sandbars ‘yung Chinese Coast Guard,” he added.

Fisherman Larry Hugo claimed that on January 26 Chinese vessels barred them from going to the sandbar to fish.

China just passed a law that explicitly allows the Chinese Coast Guard to open fire on foreign vessels.

Due to this, Hugo appealed to the national government to take action on this matter as their livelihood was already affected.

Citing the investigation of the Philippine Navy, Enriquez said the Chinese Coast Guard vessel and three Chinese fishing vessels that Hugo encountered were not moving, as observed through the automatic identification system.

“Ang assessment namin itong si Mr. Hugo, noong nakita niya na medyo marami ‘yung nadoon sa harapan niya, umikot na siya,” Enriquez said.

“Siguro dala na rin ‘to ng balita na ‘yung China in-authorize nila ang Chinese Coast Guard na to use any force kapag may violations sa kanilang Chinese laws,” he added.

Enriquez assured the public that government authorities are working together to ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen in the disputed territory.

Kalayaan Islands (Spratly Islands), a group of islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is being disputed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Brunei and  Vietnam. —KG, GMA News