NSC condemns latest harassment of PH vessels in WPS

The Chinese Coast Guard tried to drive away Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea early this month, the Philippine Coast Guard reported on Sunday, with videos of the supposed harassment making the rounds on social media during the weekend. (Photo from a video from the Philippine Coast Guard)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday condemned the Chinese Coast Guard’s latest harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

According to agency spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, the NSC hoped for a peaceful West Philippine Sea in 2024.

“But this latest event, when our fishermen were turned away or harassed by the Chinese Coast Guard, worries us, and we condemn this latest provocative action on the part of the Chinese Coast Guard against our fishermen,” Malaya said, speaking. partly in Filipino, at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

Malaya lamented this latest incident as it came right after the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea.

Last Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported another incident of Filipino fisherfolk being harassed in the West Philippine Sea.