Weeks after the Philippines reached an “agreement” with China, the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) allegedly drove off Filipino fisherfolk from the Ayungin Shoal, a part of the nation’s unique financial zone (EEZ).
According to Ian Cruz’s Friday report on “24 Oras,” a video exhibits CCG vessel 5204 and a velocity boat allegedly driving the fishermen away.
The Ayungin Shoal is a few 100 nautical miles off Palawan however is likewise close to Mischief Reef, an space within the West Philippine Sea (WPS) reportedly occupied by China.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stated they’d converse with the fisherfolk concerned within the incident to get a “clear picture” of what transpired.
Their statements can be forwarded to the National Task Force- West Philippine Sea and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in case the nation would file a diplomatic protest.
“Hindi naman tama na paalisin. We will try to inquire some more. Pagkatapos saka tayo magbibigay ng conclusive statement kung ano ang nangyari,” stated PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo.
(It was incorrect to drive them away. We will attempt to inquire additional. Afterward, that’s after we will give a conclusive assertion on what occurred.)
“May instruction na po si Admiral Abu for us to prepare yung mga parameters. Pero of course we get guidance from the DFA,” he added.
(PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu gave directions on the parameters. But after all, we are going to search steering from the DFA.)
Due to the pure assets at Ayungin, Balilo stated navy vessels and PCG models, together with across the BRP Sierra Madre, had been stationed within the space to make sure safety.
The Sierra Madre was aground on the Ayungin Shoal.
“Nandoon po ‘yung 9701 natin at saka meron tayong mga 44-meter vessel na umiikot doon. Pero alam nyo naman napakalaki ng area at hindi sa lahat ng panahon mababantayan natin ‘yung mga fishermen,” he added.
(Our BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) is there, and we’ve got a number of 44-meter vessels on patrol. But you do know it is a big space and we won’t all the time be round to guard the fishermen.)
On Monday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated he had an settlement with Chinese President Xi Jinping that China would enable Filipino fisherfolk to proceed with their work within the extremely contested waters.
This comes weeks after Marcos stated that Xi, throughout a bilateral assembly in Beijing, had “promised that we would find a compromise and find a solution that will be beneficial so that our fishermen might be able to fish again in their natural fishing grounds.”
“It’s really an agreement. China will not stop our fishermen from fishing,” stated Marcos. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News
