Pinoy fishermen harassed ‘with or without China fishing ban’

MANILA, Philippines — China will never stop harassing Filipino fisherfolk regardless if they followed China’s annual unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“Internationally, they would make it appear as if they support Filipino fishermen by lifting the fishing ban. But in reality, large China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels maintain their presence and Chinese maritime militia vessels continue to swarm maritime features in the West Philippine Sea,” PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela told radio dzRH on Aug. 19.

Beijing had claimed that the annual fishing ban, unilaterally enforced May 1 to Aug. 15, is meant to promote sustainable fishing and improve marine ecology.

Lifting the fishing ban would have no effect on Filipino fisherfolk because “with or without the fishing ban, we do not recognize it, and the harassment still continues,” according to Tarriela.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier declared it does “not recognize China’s fishing ban” in the South China Sea, which “has been the subject of our diplomatic protests and we will continue to register our formal opposition to it.”

“(The fishing ban) is an illegal exercise of state authority insofar as they cover the Philippines’ maritime zones,” DFA spokesperson Maria Teresita Daza said on Aug. 18.

Joint patrols

The Philippine government should conduct “joint multilateral maritime patrols” with allies in the West Philippine Sea to protect local fishermen, according to Palawan Rep. Edward Hagedorn.

“Despite the numerous diplomatic protests lodged by the Philippines with China, the CCG and militia vessels remain undeterred and have even intensified their harassment against local fisher people and the PCG, in clear violation of the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines under international law, (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), and the (2016) arbitral award,” Hagedorn said.

He also cited China’s latest aggression on Aug. 5, when the CCG blocked BRP Cabra, BRP Malabrigo and two other Filipino vessels that were on their way to Ayungin Shoal to deliver provisions to a small Marine outpost on the grounded Sierra Madre. The Chinese used water cannons to stop the Philippine vessels from reaching the Sierra Madre.

Hagedorn urged the government to conduct joint patrols with “like-minded and allied States.”