Manila — The Philippine Navy assured Filipino fishermen that the government is behind them following China’s unilateral fishing ban in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to Philippine Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent, Filipino fishermen should not hesitate to go on fishing as they will protect them.
“Huwag kayo matakot, magpatuloy lang kayo, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the entire government is behind you,” Vincent said. “China is out of tune, out of step, out of their minds.”
China recently announced the implementation of a fishing ban in the contested waters of the South China Sea from May 1 to 16.
The said moratorium came weeks after China announced that it would arrest foreigners who would trespass in the areas it claims in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, China said that the new rules outlined by their coastguard that could result in the detention of foreigners in the South China Sea should not cause any concern for the Philippines.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that the rules aim to standardize law enforcement and better uphold maritime order.
“There is no need for any individual or entity to worry as long as there is no illegal behavior,” Mao said.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled that China’s claims over the South China Sea have no legal basis, a decision that Beijing does not recognize./PN
