Military to Pinoy fishers: Report harassment to us
Credit to Author: DEMPSEY REYES| Date: Wed, 03 Apr 2019 18:56:13 +0000
THE MILITARY on Wednesday urged Filipino fishers to report any form of harassment near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island amid confirmation of the presence of Chinese vessels in the area.
Capt. Jason Ramon, spokesman for the military’s Western Command (WesCom), said there were no reported incidents of harassments, but confirmed that Chinese vessels were either staying or moving close to the island, particularly near the sandbars between Pag-asa and Subi (Zamora) reef.
In an interview over dzBB radio, Ramon said the Chinese vessels were suspected to be maritime militia of the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
“They are staying there, but sometimes they are not conducting any fishing activities,” he said, adding that the Chinese were unarmed and not in uniform.
Ramon said it was “normal” for the vessels to be stationary, “but there were times they (Chinese vessels) were not fishing.”
About 275 Chinese vessels are being monitored near Pag-asa Island, said to have been going in and out of the area since January.
Ramon said that fishers were free to fish near Pag-asa Island.
“They can freely fish around the area and we are also encouraging other fishers to fish near Pag-asa Island and also, we are encouraging them that in case of any untoward incident or harassment that would occur to them, they can report it to us for us to take action,” he added.
Last week, the WesCom disclosed that 600 ships were roaming Pag-asa Island, but a few days later, Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. said there were only about 200 ships.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has filed a diplomatic protest with Beijing.
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