Pacquiao vows protection of Pinoy fishermen in West Philippine Sea

Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao said he wants Filipino fishermen to be able to freely catch fish within the country’s territorial waters, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), amid China's presence.

Pacquiao made the remark following a recent dialogue with shellfish fishermen and vendors in Barangay Siniguelasan, Bacoor City.

“Hinding hindi natin papayagan na hindi makapangisda ang ating mga kababayan sa lugar natin [We will never allow our countrymen to be unable to fish in our area],” Pacquiao said in a statement.

He said adding the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard in the WPS may make this goal possible.

“Pwede tayong makapaglagay ng mga Coast Guard para magbantay sa mga mangingisda upang malaya silang makapangisda sa ating bakuran [We can put Coast Guard personnel to watch over our fishermen there so they can fish freely in our waters],” he added.

In November 2021, the Chinese Coast Guard blocked and water-cannoned two Philippine supply boats on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

That same month, China also demanded that the Philippines remove the grounded Philippine vessel BRP Sierra Madre from the shoal, a day after Filipino boats reached the grounded Navy ship to complete their resupply mission.

The Philippine government sued China before an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague in 2013. It ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.

Pacquiao said that his administration would distribute modern fishing equipment and provide additional financial support to them to ensure an increase in their yield, if he wins the May 9 polls.

He said fisherfolk, farmers, and other workers in the agriculture sector should not be denied their right to earn a decent living to be able to feed their families.

He also pointed out that these groups of people are in the priority list of underprivileged Filipinos to benefit from his free housing program. — BM, GMA News