BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and ASHZEL HACHERO
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said he is aware of the alleged use of cyanide by Chinese fishermen in the past, but the latest reported incident at Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal and Panatag Shoal, is “more alarming” as it is becoming a prevalent practice in Philippine waters.
“I do know that there are cases of cyanide fishing before even here in the Philippines, but I think the reason that it has been more alarming is that it has become more prevalent. Kaya ‘yun ang inaalala natin (that is what worries us),” President said in a chance interview after the 16th Ani ng Dangal 2024 awards in Manila.
China denied its fishermen are using cyanide at Scarborough to destroy the resource-rich shoal and prevent Filipino fishermen from entering the lagoon to ply their trade.
Marcos said he has received reports from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) about the possible cyanide fishing.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra yesterday said the BFAR report needs further verification, adding his office is still studying legal options available to the country against Beijing.
“The Office of the Solicitor General’s task is to present legal options to the Philippine government, but the decision to commence any legal action lies with the President in consultation with the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea. A possible complaint for environmental or marine damage is one of these options. The recent report on the use of cyanide off Scarborough Shoal, serious as it is, needs careful factual verification,” Guevarra said.
The BFAR over the weekend said it has received reports that Chinese fishermen are using cyanide to “intentionally destroy” the shoal to prevent Filipinos from fishing in the area.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea has ordered BFAR to gather evidence which can be used to file charges.
The President said he supports filing of charges.
“If we feel that there is an enough ground to do so, we will,” he said.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called the BFAR’s claim “totally baseless and sheer fabrication.”
“China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of ecological environment and conservation of fishery resources, and have taken resolute measures to crack down on any illegal fishing activities,” Mao said in a press conference in Beijing.
China claims the shoal and refers to it as Huangyan Dao.
The 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which junked Beijing’s claim over the South China Sea, held that Panatag is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino, Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen, and no country can block or interfere with fishing activities. However, China refused to abide by the ruling.
Beijing has been in effective control of Scarborough Shoal since 2012 following a standoff with Manila over the area. It has deployed coast guard and maritime militia vessels and cordoned off the mouth of the shoal to prevent the entry of Filipino fishermen.
Mao accused of Manila of engaging in “continuous disinformation” that she said only exacerbated tension in the area.
“The groundless speculations, slanders and inconsistent statements of spokespersons of relevant Philippine agencies can only place their professionalism and credibility in doubt,” she said.
But Mao said remains ready to meet with Manila to discuss the maritime dispute.
“We urge the relevant Philippine agencies to handle maritime issues with all seriousness, and meet the Chinese side halfway in safeguarding bilateral relations as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea,” she added.
The military, meanwhile, dismissed China’s claim the Philippines stirred up trouble in the South China Sea by conducting a joint air patrol with United States last Monday.
Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokeswoman Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said the patrol, part of a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) between the two armed forces, “is in no way directed towards any country.”
“The activity is in accordance with the international rules based order, as we were operating within our territory and within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” added Castillo.
Three FA-50 fighter jets from PAF and a B-52H bomber aircraft from the Pacific Air Forces of the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) patrolled the country’s airspace, starting from west of Ilocos Sur up to the Mindoro Strait.
The air patrol was a follow-up activity to the third MCA conducted by the two countries in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea last February. The two other MCAs were conducted last month and last November.
“As far as the Philippine Air Force is concerned, our participation in this combined air patrol, which is part of the 3rd iteration of the MCA between AFP and USINDOPACOM, is part of our commitment to enhance operational jointness and interoperability with our allies while promoting regional security and stability,” said Castillo.
Military officials have said more MCAs are scheduled but did not give a number.
The Armed Forces has also conducted an MCA with the Australia, in November. — With Victor Reyes
