AFP checking reported Chinese harassment vs Bataan fishermen

The military on Thursday said it is verifying the report of alleged harassment by Chinese Coast Guard in the South China Sea as claimed by some fishermen in Mariveles, Bataan.

“We are still validating that story. We also heard that but it is hard to give an official statement without getting first the facts and verifying the alleged incident,” Armed Forces of the Philippines General Eduardo Año told reporters.

He said he already directed Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario to validate the claims.

GMA-7 reported that a group of fishermen from Mariveles was claiming that a Chinese Coast Guard speedboat near Union Reef circled their boats and made warning shots to drive them away.

“We have to coordinate with our Coast Guard kasi normally ‘yung ganyan, Coast Guard ang proper legal law enforcement agency. Military response, last recourse ‘yun,” Año said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said they are also verifying the report. JE