DEPARTMENT of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol recently apologized for the advice given by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to Filipino fishermen – that they desist from entering the Scarborough Shoal following reports that they were being harassed by China.
It pertained to the earlier statement made by BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona that our fishermen should avoid fishing in the disputed shoal that we, Filipinos, call Panatag Shoal and instead focus their attention elsewhere.
Piñol revealed that he called the Gongona’s attention, saying that it was a policy statement and only President Duterte could make such a comment. He was apologetic for the remark and clarified that the government was not discouraging them from fishing on Panatag Shoal. He said our countrymen are allowed to fish wherever they are allowed to fish.
It would be recalled that a controversial documentary released last month showed two fishermen describing how the Chinese Coast Guard seized their catch and compelled them to leave the area. Several ships were allegedly standing by to drive them away. Their already low income were severely affected that they could no longer afford to shell out fare money for their kids going to school.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said if the video were authentic, the Philippine government would definitely file a protest.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said fishing activities by Filipino and Chinese citizens in the rich fishing ground of Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea would go on as usual.
Scarborough or Panatag Shoal was the site of a 2012 standoff between the Philippines and China when Manila sent its warship to run after Chinese poachers. To avoid further conflict, Manila withdrew its vessel. However, China quickly took advantage of the situation and gained control of the area.
China began the rapid construction of artificial islands and facilities in the disputed waters. Chinese forces blocked Filipino fishermen from entering the shoal even after the decision of a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal in 2016 that declared the area as a traditional fishing ground for the Philippines, China and their neighbors.
President Duterte’s frequent trips to Beijing lowered the tension as China promised to allow our fishermen entry into the shoal.
This corner hopes that the promise will not be broken. Some news reports and the documentary reveal otherwise.
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