Military encourages Filipino fishermen to report harassment in West Philippine Sea

April 3, 2019

The military encourages the Filipino fishermen to report harassment in the West Philippines Sea.

“We’re encouraging them (Filipino fishermen) also if there is any untoward incident or harassment that they will experience, they should report to us, for us (to make appropriate) actions,” Capt. Jason Ramon, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command, said Wednesday.

“We are also encouraging other fishermen to conduct fishing (at the waters off) Pagasa island,” he added.

Ramon reiterated there is no reported harassment among Filipino fishermen at the vicinity of Pagasa Island.

“Based on our reports, there were no harassment or any untoward incident. We have talked with the fishermen and there is no harassment on them,” he said.

Ramon said a total of 275 Chinese vessels were monitored at the vicinity waters of Pagasa Island since January to March of this year.

“Even though these are fishing vessels monitored. Still part of assessment of Wescom (that) these are suspected maritime militia... They’re staying there sometime they do not conduct fishing activity,” he said.

It can be recalled that last month, Kalayaan Mayor Roberto del Mundo claimed  Filipino fishermen were being harassed or driven away from the sandbars near the Pag-asa Island. Robina Asido/DMS