PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Adm. Artemio Abu is urging Filipino fishermen to fish in the South China Sea, specifically in the West Philippine Sea, despite China’s imposition of a fishing ban in the area.
Abu said the fishing ban is not applicable to Filipino fishermen because the West Philippine Sea, which China is claiming, is part of Philippine territory.
“The Coast Guard is encouraging our countrymen to fish in the area which is ours,” Abu said in a press briefing on Wednesday, adding the PCG, the Philippine Navy, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are there to ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen.
The ban started on May 1 and ends on August 16. China media said the annual fishing ban is meant to promote sustainable marine fishery development and improve marine ecology.
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday lodged a diplomatic protest against China for imposing the ban which it said has no legal basis and undermines trust, confidence and respect between the two countries.
“That is our area, that’s part of our territory… That is not their territory, that is our territory. We have no fishing ban in our territory and we are just making sure that we are moving in area that is ours,” said Abu.
Abu said China’s fishing ban is “only applicable” to Chinese fishermen.
Abu also said the PCG has not received any report about Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea being harassed by the Chinese.
During the “Laging Handa” public briefing yesterday, PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said the agency has taken steps to ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen.
“We are accompanying them. We are monitoring our fishermen while fishing,” said Balilo, stressing the Chinese fishing ban is not supposed to cover Filipino fishermen.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian paid yesterday a courtesy call on Abu at the PCG headquarters in Manila.
“They (Huang and Abu) exchanged views on possible capacity-building activities between the PCG and CCG (Chinese Coast Guard) to strengthen rapport and confidence among PCG and CCG personnel,” the PCG said in a statement.
The PCG said Huang “expressed his hope for the PCG and CCG to further strengthen cooperation to promote peace and stability in the region.”
