China Coast Guard takes fishes from Pinoy fishermen in Panatag Shoal — reports says

Members of the Chinese Coast Guard have been taking fishes from Filipino fisherfolks in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal in Zambales, according to a report. (Screengrab photo from GMA News report)

Members of the Chinese Coast Guard have been taking fishes from Filipino fisherfolks in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal in Zambales, according to a report.

In a news report on Thursday, June 7, aired on GMA’s 24 Oras, a video footage showed a China Coast Guard speedboat approaching Filipino fishermen to ask for fish. However, the Chinese left without a fish after the fishermen told them that they have not caught any yet.

According to the report, this encounter is not new for the fishermen because it has become a habit for the Chinese Coast Guard to take their catch.

A May 20 phone video obtained by GMA News showed that two Chinese Coast Guard personnel boarded a Filipino vessel. They later on opened a container that has the fishermen’s catch and picked out the best ones.

“Wala silang paalam. Halungkatin nila ‘yun, basta maghalungkat sila, sir. Kukunin nila ‘yung gusto nila. Ilagay nila sa plastic, magaganda pa ang kunin nila (They did not ask for permission. They will ransack it [container]. They will get what they want and put it inside a plastic, they even get the best ones),” Filipino fisherman Ernie Egana told GMA.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told GMA News that the Philippine government would bring the issue up with the Chinese government.

“Madali po ‘yan. Irereklamo natin ‘yan sa bansang Tsina dahil sa pagkakaintindi po natin, tayo’y magkaibigan na. Dapat hinahayaang maghanapbuhay ang ating mga mangingisda doon (It is easy. We will protest it to China because our understanding is that we are friends. They should let our fishermen to catch fish there),” the Palace official said.

However, Roque asked the media entity for more information about the report.

“If established, it’s a ground for protest. Have asked GMA to authenticate but video that I saw was inconclusive. Didn’t actually see any bullying,” Roque said in a text message on Friday, June 8.

The Scarborough Shoal is a rich fishing ground located within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and is 124 nautical miles from Zambales. Beijing seized the shoal in 2012 after a two-month standoff with the Philippines.