Fishers: No problem with China policy, so far

A GROUP of fishermen from Zambales yesterday said none of its members who went to fish in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday has been arrested or detained by the Chinese.

China’s new policy against “trespassers” in the South China Sea, including parts of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, took effect on Saturday. It allows the Chinese Coast Guard to detain supposed intruders for up to 60 days.

China is claiming almost the entire South China Sea is also being claimed in part by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, aside from the Philippines.

Leonardo Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association (NMFA), said members of the group went to fish inside the country’s exclusive economic zone and went home without any problem.

He said at least 10 fishing boats went to the area on Saturday despite China’s new policy.

“Awa po ng Diyos ay nakauwi naman po sila ng mapayapa at wala naman pong ano mang nangyari. (By God’s grace, they returned home safely and without any incident),” he said in a radio interview.

Cuaresma said NMFA members did not see Chinese vessels as they stayed as far as 30 miles from Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal and Panatag Shoal, which is about 124 nautical miles from mainland Zambales.

Scarborough is within the West Philippine Sea, which is the part of the South China Sea that is being claimed by the Philippines.

Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels have maintained constant presence at the shoal since China gained control of it in 2012 after a standoff with Philippine government vessels.

“Nothing untoward happened to them,” Cuaresma said in Filipino.

Another group of fishermen in Zambales, the Tropical Fish and Gatherer Association (TFGA), said its members have avoided going near Scarborough Shoal.

TFGA president Joeffrey Elad, in another radio interview, said members are afraid they would be accosted and brought to China by the Chinese in line with the new policy.

Elad said TFGA members have decided to fish near mainland Zambales where there is led catch, compared to Scarborough Shoal.

Elad nevertheless said TFGA members are willing to return to Scarborough to fish if they will be escorted by