Vice President Leni Robredo. Photo from the Leni Robredo Media Bureau
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday expressed concern over the reported harassment of some Filipino fishermen at Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
The fishermen had earlier complained that members of Chinese Cast Guard seized their catch at Panatag Shoal.
“Lantaran itong pagbalewala sa karapatan ng mga Pilipino, at sa awtoridad ng Republika ng Pilipinas sa Panatag Shoal, alinsunod sa desisyon ng Permanent Court of Arbitration,” Robredo said in a statement.
[This is a blatant disregard for the rights Filipinos and the authority of the Republic of the Philippines in the Panatag Shoal, in accordance to the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbiration.]
Robredo urged the government to swiftly take action and prioritize the welfare and livelihood of Filipinos.
“Alang-alang sa kapakanan ng ating mga mangingisda, ang anumang pag-aatubili sa panig ng ating pamahalaan sa tuloy-tuloy na panghimasok sa ating mga dagat ng ibang bansa ay kailangang isantabi sa lalong madaling panahon,” Robredo said in a statement.
[For sake of our fishermen, any hesitation on the part of the government on the continuous of invasion of our waters by other countries should be set aside immediately.)
“Matagal na nating isinusulong na panahon na para ihain natin ang ating pinakamalakas at pinakamalinaw na pagtutol sa mga aksyon ng Tsina sa ating mga karagatan,” she added.
[We have been saying that it’s about time we express our strongest and clearest terms our objection to China’s behavior in our waters.]
According to Robredo, Filipinos are counting on the government to assert the country’s interest and the welfare of its citizen above all else.
“Hindi na lamang ito usapin ng batas, kundi ng buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa panahong tila mas humihirap ang buhay sa pagtaas ng mga bilihin,” she said. “Umaasa tayo na mabilis at buong loob na tutugon ang administrasyon sa hamong ito.”
[This is not just a legal issue but also a matter of concerning the life and livelihood of our countrymen, especially at this time when life seems to getting more difficult with the rise of prices of goods. We are hoping that the administration will respond to this challenge quickly and decisively.] /atm