Romualdez: Support PH fisherfolk’s rights in West Philippine Sea
Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. delivers Speaker Martin Romualdez’s speech for Zambales fishermen and local officials during a public consultation and a joint hearing held by the House committees on national defense and security and WPS at Masinloc Municipal Hall on Friday, May 24, 2024 (Photo screengrab from House of Representatives livestream)
MASINLOC, Zambales — Various sectors of the society should unite and support fisherfolk here in fighting for their rights in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid China’s continued aggression in the area, according to House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
During a public consultation and a joint hearing held by the House committees on national defense and security and WPS, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. delivered Romualdez’s speech for the fishermen and local officials of the province.
READ: ‘Even Zambales fishermen hit by China water cannon assault’
“Hindi kayo nag-iisa sa laban na ito. Kasama natin ang iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan; nariyan po ang inyong mga Congressman na sina Representative Jefferson Khonghun at Representative Doris Maniquiz. Bukas po ang kanilang tangapan sa anumang agam-agam na nais nyong idulog sa kanila,” Romualdez’s message said as read by Gonzales on Friday.
(You are not alone in this fight. With us are the various sectors of society, including your congressmen, Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, and Rep. Doris Maniquiz. Their offices are open to hear your concerns.)
“Muli, hindi kayo nag-iisa sa pagharap sa mga banta ng China. Magkaisa tayo at patuloy nating ipaglaban ang ating karapatan na mangisda sa Bajo de Masinloc. Alam natin na ito ay bahagi ng ating teritoryo at pag-aari ng Pilipinas,” he added.
(Again, you are not alone in facing China’s threats. Let’s be united and continue to fight for our right to fish in Bajo de Masinloc. It is part of our territory and belongs to the Philippines.)
Earlier, during the hearing, fisherfolk from both municipalities voiced their concerns and personal experiences dealing with the Chinese Coast Guard’s harassment and bullying in Scarborough Shoal.
Ahead of the public consultation, Zambales 2nd District Rep. Doris Maniquiz told reporters on Thursday that Masinloc and Sta. Cruz fisherfolk indeed experienced a series of water cannon attacks from CCG last week and this February, respectively.
She described that the vessels attacked by the CCG were used for deep-sea fishing with 25 to 35 fishermen and crew on board.
The lawmaker added that the livelihood of around 1,000 fishermen from Masinloc and 400 from Sta. Cruz was affected by the CCG’s presence in the West Philippine Sea.
Iloilo Rep. Raul Tupas, the defense committee chairman, presided over the Masinloc hearing, along with Gonzales, who heads the special committee on WPS.
Besides the two representatives, lawmakers present during the hearing were Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez, and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, among others.
