Fishers slam no sail zone set in Zambales, Ilocos Norte for Balikatan

Progressive group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) slammed the no sail zone set in the waters off Zambales and Ilocos Norte. EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines — A no sail zone will be enforced off Zambales and Ilocos Norte for the entire duration of Balikatan exercises, a move that was met with strong opposition from the confederation of militant fisherfolk.

An integrated air and missile defense will be conducted at San Antonio in Zambales on May 3.

On May 8, the vicinity waters of Ilocos Norte’s capital Laoag City will also see the sinking exercise of a “made in China” oil tanker, which will serve as the highlight of the biggest annual war games in the country.

READ: ‘Made in China’ ship as mock target in Balikatan unintentional—PH Navy

“There is a ‘no sail zone’. We requested for a NOTAM (Notice to Mariners) and that has been approved by the Philippine Coast Guard,” Logico said in a regular press conference in Camp Aguinaldo.

Fishers livelihoods affected

Progressive group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) slammed the no sail zone.

“It is unacceptable that the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk become compromised for the provocative and militaristic actions of the US in our waters,” the Pamalakaya said in a statement in Filipino last April 23.

Pamalakaya also noted that around 13,800 registered fisherfolk were affected during last year’s no sail zone implemented in several towns in Ilocos Norte.

“Even the neighboring towns, which are not covered by the said military exercise, were included in the fishing ban,” the group also noted.

Ban for safety

In response to Pamalakaya’s objections, Logico noted that fisherfolk who will enter the exercise perimeter will be prevented from doing so.

“That is for their safety. If they want to roll the dice and enter into the NOTAM area we will be stopping them because we are conducting picket operations in the exercise area,” Logico said.

China warships violates NOTAM

Meanwhile, Logico said that the Chinese warships spotted during the drills of the Philippines with France and the United States in the West Philippine Sea violated the NOTAM enforced in the entire duration of the drills.

READ: China warships quiet during PH, US, France maritime drills in WPS

Four People’s Liberation Army-Navy warships were spotted throughout the multilateral maritime activity which ran from April 25 to April 29.

“We have an existing notice to mariners for that specific exercises and that, the reason for the NOTAM is for the safety of other vessels that may wander into our exercise area,” Logico said.

“Their presence there was a big risk on their part for entering it, knowing fully well that we are conducting military maneuvers,” he added.

Beijing asserts sovereignty in the entire South China Sea—including most of the West Philippine Sea— despite the July 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that effectively invalidated its claims based on a case filed by Manila in 2013.