Uphold arbitral ruling as Chinese harassment of Pinoy fishermen persists — Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said the Philippines' arbitral victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 should still be upheld as Chinese fishing vessels continue to harass Filipino fishermen.

In Robredo's weekly radio show, Ernie Egana, who has been a fisherman since 1994, told the Vice President about how the Chinese Coast Guard has blocked them from their traditional fishing grounds in Scarborough Shoal.

The Chinese Coast Guard would also seize their equipment as well as confiscate their catch.

In exchange for the expensive fish, China would give the Filipino fishermen noodle packs or liquor.

“Malaki po, Ma’am, ang [epekto] sa amin, dahil humina na po ‘yong kuha po naming isda. Kung sa labas kami manisid po, malakas po ang agos, maalon, hindi ka din nakakapormang mangisda sa labas,” said Egana.

[The effect on us has been huge, because of catch decreased. If we fish outside the area, the waves are big and strong. It's hard to fish outside.]

“Nangyari po sa amin noong 2018, kasi po tuwing madaling araw po, umaakyat sila sa bangka namin, Ma’am, hinahalukay nila ‘yong mga isda na huli namin. Tapos, Ma’am, ‘yong magagandang isda kinukuha nila pagkatapos, pinapalitan lang po ng isang [pack ng noodles] at isang bote ng alak,” he further pointed out.

[In 2018, at early morning, they would go up to our boats and steal the fish that we caught. They would even get the bigger fish and give us a pack of noodles and a bottle of liquor in exchange.]

After hearing Egana's story, Robredo stressed that the Hague ruling, which invalidated China's massive claims on South China Sea, should be used to defend the Philippines' claims in the West Philippine Sea, which is the source of livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk.

"Marami ‘yong epekto sa atin, pero ang pinakaramdam, itong mga maliliit na mangingisda natin, na ang pinagkukunan ng hanapbuhay nasa dagat natin. Ang experience talaga nila, naghahanapbuhay sila within our exclusive economic zone, pero tinataboy sila, kinukuha kung anuman yong kanilang napangisda na," she added.

[The Hague ruling has a lot of effect on us, but the ones who feel it the most are our small fishermen, who work within the exclusive economic zone, but they are being pushed away and and their catch is being taken from them.)

"Bukas, July 12, 5th anniversary na ng Arbitral Ruling. Magamit sana natin ang ating pagkapanalo sa pagtatanggol ng mga mangingisda natin tulad ni Ernie," said Robredo in a Facebook post.

[Tomorrow, July 12 will be the fifth anniversary of the arbitral ruling. May we use this ruling to defend our fishermen like Ernie.]

OVP to help Filipino fishermen

The harassment of the Chinese Coast Guard, which uses big fishing vessels, not only threaten Filipino fishermen's livelihood but has also sowed fear among Pinoy fishermen, who only have small boats.

“Sanay na po kami sa pagpunta ng kalburo. Ang inaano lang po namin, kinakabahan lang po kami sa China, dahil hindi po alam kung anong maisipan nilang gagawin sa amin na mga mangingisda,” he said.

[We are used to this. But what we are scared of is China, because we are afraid of what they are capable of.]

Egana is among the fishermen of Masinloc, Zambales, who have been affected by China's incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

Asked if Egana sought help from government regarding their plight, the fisherman replied, "Nakarating na sa kanya po yan sir. Ewan ko lang sir dahil  nung pinatawag kami... parang balewala rin sir."

[It reached them but I don't know when we were called up, they ignored us.]

Robredo, on the other hand, vowed that she will send her team to Masinloc to help the fishermen in their livelihood.

“Mag-iingat po kayo lagi. Paabot lang po sa mga kasama n’yo na kaisa n’yo kami. Handa po ‘yong opisina namin na tumulong, kasi kung ganiyan ‘yong kuwento, gustong sabihin talagang ‘yong kabuhayan na ‘yong naapektuhan," said Robredo.

[Keep safe. We will send assistance there. Our office is prepared to help, since your livelihood is very much affected in these incidents.] — BM, GMA News