The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted a special operation to remove the floating barrier installed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in Bajo de Masinloc.
“In compliance with the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) Chairman, Secretary Eduardo Año, has directed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to execute a special operation to remove the floating barrier that obstructed the southeast entrance of Bajo De Masinloc,” PCG said in a statement.
According to Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, the barrier posed a hazard to navigation, which is a “clear violation of international law”.
“It also hinders the conduct of fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk in BDM, which is an integral part of the Philippine national territory,” he added.
On Sunday, Sept. 24, the PCG reported the sighting of a floating barrier at the southeast portion of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
The approximately 300-meter long floating barrier was discovered by PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) personnel onboard BRP Datu Bankaw last Sept. 22. while they were conducting a maritime patrol mission.
“During a routine maritime patrol, the BFAR vessel observed more than 550 FFBs (Filipino fishing boats) engaged in fishing activities in the area,” PCG said in a release.
It noted that the sighted barrier prevented FFBs from entering Bajo de Masinloc and deprived them of fishing activities.
BFAR then provided various grocery items and fuel subsidies to sustain the operations of fisherfolk in the area.
However, four CCG vessels initiated a series of 15 radio challenges in an attempt to drive away the BFAR vessel and FFBs.
“The CCG crew alleged that the presence of the BFAR vessel and Filipino fishermen violated international law and the domestic laws of the People’s Republic of China,” PCG said, noting that the BFAR vessel emphasized that they were carrying out a routine patrol within the territorial sea of Bajo de Masinloc.
“Upon realizing the presence of media personnel onboard the BFAR vessel, the CCG vessels maintained a safe distance and moved away,” PCG said.
The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday, Sept. 25, condemned CCG’s move, and said the government will take actions to cause the removal of the barriers and protect the rights of the Filipino fisherfolk in the area.
“It ruled categorically that such action by the PRC violated the traditional fishing rights of our fishermen in the shoal who have been fishing there for centuries. Any State that prevents them from doing artisanal fishing there violates UNCLOS and international law, in general,” NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said in a statement. –By Jude Tenorio-cf,gb,ag
