Pag-asa fishers group nixes AFP plan to train them to become reservists

An association of fishermen in Pag-asa Island on Friday expressed their opposition to the military's plan to train them to become part of reserve forces amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Pag-asa Island Fisherfolk Association president Larry Hugo said they would prefer to only report any untoward incident in the area.

“Medyo mahirap po sa amin na mangingisda 'yun. Tama lang po na magre-report kami na may mga insidente... Hindi po kami papayag. Tamang report lang po kami. Doon na lang po kami,” he said.

(That would be difficult for us fishermen. We'd rather that we report incidents. We will not allow that, we will just report. We prefer it that way.)

“Hindi po kami hahawak ng armas (We will not carry firearms),” Hugo added.

The group operates 36 fishing boats in the waters off Pag-asa, Hugo said.

At a press briefing in Palawan on Thursday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said they are considering putting up a maritime militia in the West Philippine Sea to strengthen their presence in the area.

Brawner said the military is looking at Filipino fisherfolk being part of the reserve forces.

He made the statement after the Chinese vessels on August 5 used water cannons and made dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels on a resupply mission for the troops manning BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

The BRP Sierra Madre has been marooned at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship, manned by more than a dozen Marines and sailors, has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

"Yes, it's part of our plans," Brawner said Thursday. "We're also trying to develop our reservists who will be able to operate in the sea."

The official added, "And then of course, 'yung gusto natin 'yung mga fisherfolks natin gawin din nating reservists at tuturuan natin sila kung paano sila makakatulong sa pagdipensa ng ating bansa."

(And then, of course, we want our fisherfolk to become reservists and teach them how to help in defending the country.)

While saying that the Philippines would not be able to keep up with China's number of ships and fishing vessels, Brawner said the Philippines will try to deploy more ships and fishing vessels to the West Philippine Sea to establish its presence in the area.

GMA News Online has reached out to the AFP for its comment on the matter, but it has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

Referring to the water cannon incident, the Chinese Coast Guard has said that it had taken "necessary controls" against Philippines boats that had "illegally" entered its waters. Beijing claims Ayungin Shoal as part of its territory.

Ayungin is located 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

At the Senate, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa suggested "cementing" BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal amid China’s demand to tow it from its location.

"Kailangan hindi basta-bastang hilahin lang ‘yan ng China. Hindi pupwedeng tanggalin nila ‘yan diyan. Kung pwedeng ikwan natin, i-semento ‘yung ilalim ng barko para ma-fix na ‘yan siya doon, mas maganda," Dela Rosa said in a phone interview with Senate reporters.

[They cannot remove there. If possible, we should put cement under it so it would be permanent there.] 

Former Senator and Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said the vessel was deliberately run aground at the Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as an outpost in the West Philippine Sea.

The plan was approved by then-President Joseph Estrada in the wake of the Chinese occupying the nearby Mischief Reef in 1995.

Ayungin is located 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s EEZ. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News