An affiliation of fishermen in Pag-asa Island on Friday expressed their opposition to the army’s plan to coach them to develop into a part of reserve forces amid China’s aggression within the West Philippines Sea (WPS).
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Pag-asa Island Fisherfolk Association president Larry Hugo mentioned they would favor to solely report any untoward incident within the space.
“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 mentioned.
(That can be troublesome for us fishermen. We’d moderately that we report incidents. We won’t permit that, we’ll simply report. We desire it that manner.)
“Hindi po kami hahawak ng armas (We will not carry firearms),” Hugo added.
The group operates 36 fishing boats within the waters off Pag-asa, Hugo mentioned.
At a press briefing in Palawan on Thursday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. mentioned they’re contemplating placing up a maritime militia within the West Philippine Sea to strengthen their presence within the space.
Brawner mentioned the army is taking a look at Filipino fisherfolk being a part of the reserve forces.
He made the assertion after the Chinese vessels on August 5 used water cannons and made harmful maneuvers in opposition to Philippine vessels on a resupply mission for the troops manning BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The BRP Sierra Madre has been marooned on the Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship, manned by greater than a dozen Marines and sailors, has develop into a logo of Philippine sovereignty within the offshore territory.
“Yes, it’s part of our plans,” Brawner mentioned 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, after all, we wish our fisherfolk to develop into reservists and train them how one can assist in defending the nation.)
While saying that the Philippines wouldn’t have the ability to sustain with China’s variety of ships and fishing vessels, Brawner mentioned the Philippines will attempt to deploy extra ships and fishing vessels to the West Philippine Sea to determine its presence within the space.
GMA News Online has reached out to the AFP for its touch upon the matter, however it has but to offer an announcement as of posting time.
Referring to the water cannon incident, the Chinese Coast Guard has mentioned that it had taken “necessary controls” in opposition to Philippines boats that had “illegally” entered its waters. Beijing claims Ayungin Shoal as a part of its territory.
Ayungin is positioned 105.77 nautical miles from the closest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes a part of the nation’s unique financial zone (EEZ). —KBK, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
