Robredo vows to defend Filipino fishermen

Vice President Leni Robredo. Photo from the Leni Robredo Media Bureau

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday vowed to defend the rights of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea amid a brewing scandal over the alleged harassment by the Chinese Coast Guard against local fisherfolk.

Robredo, in an interview in Rosario, Cavite, assured the fishermen that she was “one with them” against any form of harassment.

“We assure our fishermen in the West Philippine Sea that we are here to help them,” the vice president said in Filipino.

“It breaks our hearts to think that they feel helpless. We want them to know that there are still people who are willing to fight for their rights. No matter how hard, we will still fight for them,” she vowed.

Earlier, a GMA-7 documentary showed a mobile phone video footage of what appeared to be Chinese Coast Guard officers approaching Filipino fishermen and attempting to take into custody their catch.

READ: Are we China’s slaves? Filipino fishermen ask

The video has sparked outrage from the public, with members of the opposition calling on the government to take a stand against China.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Monday branded the reported activities of Chinese authorities as “unacceptable.” /jpv

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