Philippine coast guard allows Filipino fishermen access to shoal

MANILA, Philippines—Despite controversy, Filipino fishermen arrived in the vicinity of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to fish, according to the Philippine Coast Guard on Friday.

“Fishing boats continue to go to the Scarborough Shoal. Since there is no fishing ban, they are free to fish in the area. It (the shoal) is ours, so why would be prohibit them?” PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente told reporters.

Ricafrente said PCG authorities have always allowed Filipino fishermen to come close to the shoal to catch fish and even to take shelter there during storms.

He said the presence of the Filipino fishermen in the area was also in line with the PCG’s purpose of “establishing our presence at the shoal.”

A PCG search and rescue vessel, BRP Pampanga, arrived at the shoal on Thursday afternoon. It took over the patrol of the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which has been locked in a standoff between two Chinese maritime research vessels and Chinese fishing boats.

Philippines, China work to ease Shoal standoff