Some fishermen activists are disappointed with the retraction of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) after initially saying that China is deliberately destroying the West Philippine Sea with cyanide fishing.
Monday when BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera told PTV4 that they are “not sure yet” if the Chinese fishermen actually did this in Bajo de Masinloc (known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal).
“Bakit tila umatras sa naunang pahayag ang BFAR kaugnay sa laganap na cyanide fishing ng China sa Panatag Shoal?” asked PAMALAKAYA Vice Chair for Luzon Bobby Roldan.
“Ang ganitong pabagu-bago at di-tiyak na pahayag ay magpapatagal lamang sa pagpapanagot sa China at iba pang bansa na nagsasagawa ng iligal na pangingisda sa ating teritoryo.”
PAMALAKAYA said it is clear that the entry and presence of foreign fishermen in Philippine waters is prohibited based on Chapter VI, Section 91 of the Amended Fisheries Code or the law against illegal poaching.
BFAR retracts statement on China’s use of cyanide in Panatag Shoal
A week ago when Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning denied as “fabricated” the previous allegation of BFAR, especially saying that Bajo de Masinloc is “theirs” and they should take care of it.
Beijing continues to claim almost the entire South China Sea — the area where the West Philippine Sea and Panatag Shoal are located — even though the country’s Permanent Court of Arbitration nine-dash line claim was initially dismissed.
“Malakas na ebidensya na ang testimonya at pahayag ng mga mangingisda sa Panatag Shoal; ito ang dapat gawing batayan ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas para sampahan ng kaso ang China at iba pang mga bansang lumabag, para mabigyang hustisya ang mga Pilipinong mangingisda at ang ating kalikasan,” added Roldan.
“Dismayado kami sa mahinang paninindigan ng administrasyong Marcos Jr. sa patuloy na pangangamkam ng China sa West Philippine Sea. Katumbas na ito ng pagtataksil sa mga mangingisdang Pilipino at sa ating pambansang soberanya.”
It was just yesterday when BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said in an interview with PTV4 that they need to make sure that what they said earlier about China’s deliberate destruction of the West Philippine Sea with cyanide is true.
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