Filipino fishermen continue to fish in West PH Sea despite China fishing rules

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines continues to fish in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) despite China’s demand for permission to fish in the disputed territory, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Friday.

For example, fishermen are able to fish in Scarborough Shoal off Zambales even without escorts, Gazmin told reporters.

The Scarborough Shoal is one of the areas claimed by China but is within the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile-exclusive economic zone.

In 2012, a standoff in the shoal between the Philippines and China sparked tensions after the Philippine Navy caught Chinese fishermen with illegally collected endangered corals, giant clams and live sharks. The Philippines chose to resolve the issue through diplomatic means before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

“If it [the fishing regulations] is already implemented, they [fishermen] would have been already arrested, right?” Gazmin said in Filipino.

Three Coast Guard vessels of the Chinese were sighted near Scarborough as of Thursday based on military reports. Seven Filipino fishing vessels were also sighted.

There were no reports of harassment by the Chinese, but Gazmin said they continued to patrol the seas.

Last week, Gazmin said the Philippines should defy China’s fishing rules, most especially if it is within the Philippine territory. Escorts would be provided to fishermen “if necessary.”

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