Verify info on Chinese harassment – Honasan

Senator Gregorio Honasan on Sunday urged the government to verify and, if necessary, protest the reported harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

Video aired recently by GMA-7 showed members of China’s coast guard boarding the boats of Filipino fishermen to grab their catch in Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) in Zambales.

“Unang-una ‘di ko sinasabing pabayaan natin ito. Pero first i-verify natin ang information para sigurado tayong makatotohanan at i-verify ang source. Kapag kumpirmado huwag magpadalos dalos, kung kailangan magprotesta, magprotesta,” Honasan said in an interview over dzBB.

Honasan added President Rodrigo Duterte and the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines can take up the incident with Chinese President Xi Jin Ping.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the government would protest to China if it would be proven that members of the Chinese coast guard bullied Filipino fishermen and took their catch.

READ: Chinese taking PH fishermen’s catch in Scarborough? Palace to protest if…

“Nagsalita na ang United Nations (UN). ‘Di dapat maantala ang freedom of navigation dahil ‘di lang tayo ang apektado pag hinaharass ang mga fishermen at may arbitral ruling naman na. It’s a matter of time. ‘Yung karatig bansa maapektuhan na rin,” he said.

Honasan called for discreet dialogue on the sea disputes issue, saying China could be watching.

“’Di ako payag na i-post natin ang weaknesses natin. Quiet lang tayo at mag usap-usap para swabe ang aksyon natin,” he said. /cbb