Filipino fishermen afraid to venture in Scarborough Shoal

Scarborough Shoal

MANILA, Philippines—Local fisherfolk in Masinloc municipality, Zambales province were now scared to fish in the disputed waters between China and Philippines, the mayor said Wednesday. The province covers the said area.

In a radio report, Masinloc Mayor Desiree Edora said the fisherfolk no longer go to Panatag or Scarborough Shoal as tension could escalate.

“Medyo matagal-tagal na di nagpupunta dahil natatakot kasi baka magkaroon ng bakbakan (It’s been a while since they fish there because they fear for an armed confrontation),” she said.

She reiterated that the Panatag Shoal or Baja de Masinloc, is a part of Masinloc as it was 120 nautical miles west of Zambales.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Anthony Alcantara of the Northern Luzon Command said three foreign fishing vessels and two small fishing boats with outriggers (katig) were sighted in Panatag Wednesday, although they could not verify if it belonged to China.

As of posting, the Philippines maintained its lone Coast Guard ship, BRP Edsa,min Panatag Shoal.

The M/Y Saranggani, with nine French divers on an archaelogical survey, has already left Panatag as of Wednesday night.

Alcantara clarified that M/Y Saranggani received no threats from the Chinese.

“Baka nagre-refuel na rin yun, saka tapos na siguro ang research,” he told reporters in a phone interview.

He added that there were no reported “unusual” incidents, and that the situation was “stable.”

China, on the other hand, still maintained its two maritime surveillance vessels 71 and 84.