Fishing ban
IT’S certainly heartening to know that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is strengthening its presence in the West Phiippine Sea (WPS).
This it will do by deploying ships and aircraft to conduct maritime and aerial patrol in the area, according to AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.
Padilla said the AFP is out to ensure the safety of fishermen, many of them from Zambales and Pangasinan, amid the fishing ban in the WPS.
Of course, various quarters, particularly our beleaguered fishermen operating in the WPS, welcomed the move of the AFP.
Earlier, China imposed the “fishing ban” in areas it claims in the disputed South China Sea, drawing protests from irate Filipino fishers.
Without doubt, the fishing moratorium, which started on May 1 and ends on September 16, adversely affects our fishermen.
Admittedly, Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal) has been a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos for centuries.
Like other well-meaning Filipinos, we believe that the government is in a position to protect the interests of our fishermen.
The government, through the AFP, is on the right track in strenghtening our presence in the West Philippine Sea.
