Wescom: No reports of harassment among local fishermen near Pagasa Island

The Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said that based on their record, there are no reports of harassment of Chinese nationals against the local fishermen near Pagasa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

"Our operating units have monitored the presence of fishing vessels from various countries including Philippines conducting fishing activities in the sandbars, in the vicinity of Pagasa Island," Captain Cherry Tindog, chief of the Wescom Public Affairs Office said.

"Our personnel have also been engaging the fishermen there to know their concerns and if they are being harassed. So far, up to this date, we have not received any complaint or report from them that they are being harassed or driven away from that area," Tindog added.

At least 15 Filipino fishing vessels were monitored by the Wescom in the vicinity of Pagasa Island from January 1, 2018 to March 5, 2019.

The Wescom also encouraged the local fisherfolk to continue venturing out in the area, noting that a shelter port project is being developed in Pagasa Island to assist them in their economic activities there.

It has been recently reported that Chinese vessels allegedly harassed and shooed away some local fishermen at Sandy Cay or the group of sandbars located between Pagasa Island and China's artificial island on Subi Reef. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News