Protect us from Chinese ships, fishers ask Navy, PCG

Fishermen appealed to the government on Sunday to increase coast guard and naval patrols to protect them from the Chinese Coast Guard, which has stepped up their efforts in recent months to keep them from entering the Scarborough (Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag) Shoal lagoon, where fishes are abundant. In an interview on radio dzBB, the spokesman of the Bigkis ng Mangingisda Federation in Masinloc, Zambales said Chinese vessels and rubber boats continue to block Filipino fishermen from entering the lagoon. “Chinese fishing vessels are also outside, but they can fish more freely in our reef. When Filipino fishermen insist on entering, they are being blocked and chased by Chinese Coast Guard rubber boats,” said Henrelito Empoc, the group’s spokesperson, speaking in Filipino.