The Scarborough Shoal, which local folk call Bajo de Masinloc, is one of the fishing grounds that could no longer be accessed by Filipinos because of the presence of the Chinese coast guard. Others sail out to the Kalayaan Island Group, only to face the same predicament.
Chinese fishers, it added, destroyed coral reefs and harvested endangered giant clams using a large machinery called an “airlift.” “There are the threats of looming brownouts, weekly spiraling oil prices and the hunger plaguing millions of Filipinos. The answers to all these could be found if we harness responsibly the wealth of our waters,” the senator said.
Pangilinan said the government must not abandon the arbitral ruling as an important legal victory that has the force and effect of a law and was recognized by the international community. Robredo said that asserting the country’s claims would protect local fishermen who were most affected by the persistent harassment by the Chinese coast guard.
I hope one day we can freely fish on our own waters at wps