Military says no reports received on harassment of Filipino fishermen by Chinese vessels

MILITARY OFFICIALS said on Wednesday that it has not received any recent report of Filipino fishermen in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea being harassed by Chinese vessels.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., in a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday, said fishermen from other claimant countries have actually been fishing close to their Philippine counterparts who are left undisturbed by Chinese vessels patrolling the disputed waters.
“Marami kasing reports na hina-harass ‘yung ating fishermen, but I got a report ang sinasabi nga yung ibang claimant countries dumidikit sa mga fishermen natin para ‘di sila tinataboy (There are lot of reports that our fishermen were being harassed, but I got a report which said that actually other claimant countries fish with our fishermen for them not to be shooed away,” Mr. Madrigal said, “[This is] because our fishermen are able to fish there undisturbed by the Chinese vessels.”
Senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares has claimed speaking to fishermen who reported the harassment incidents.
For his part, AFP Northern Luzon Command (NolCom) commander Lt. Gen. Emmanuel B. Salamat said, “We have coordinated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and initially, there were no reports of Filipino fishermen being subjected to the said attack of Chinese water cannons, and so far, there were no sightings of Dredging ships in the waters of Bajo De Masinloc or in the West Philippine Sea.”
Mr. Salamat added that politicians should not “exploit” sensitive national issues by making unverified statements.
“Politicians should not exploit sensitive national issues such as these if they are not backed by a solid foundation and proper confirmation just to suit their own benefit. Such action could cause undue alarm to the public and may affect our credibility as a nation once proven false, which are unnecessary,” he said.
The NolCom head assured that it will remain committed to doing its mandate of protecting the people and securing the sovereign territory within its area of responsibility, which includes the country’s vast northern maritime areas. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras