PH to ‘take all measures to protect Pinoy fishermen in Scarborough’–DFA
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday the Philippines “will take all appropriate measures to protect its sovereignty and the livelihood of Filipino fishermen.”
Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Ma. Teresita Daza issued the statement after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday revealed that the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) has installed a floating barrier southeast of Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, apparently to prevent Filipino fishing boats to enter the shoal and conduct fishing activities.
“Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippines over which we have sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction according to the United Nations Commission on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the DFA statement said.
The DFA stressed the 2016 Arbitral Award affirms it as a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fisherfolk.
“China’s reported installation of barriers and its negative impact on the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk or any other activity that infringes upon the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction in Bajo de Masinloc are violations of international law, particularly UNCLOS and the Arbitral Award,” Daza explained.
She added “We will take all appropriate measures to protect our country’s sovereignty and the livelihood of our fisherfolk.”
Eurooean Union Ambassador Luc Veron said he is deeply concerned about the PCG report.
“Deeply concerning news. The installation of the floating barrier is dangerous, detrimental to the livelihoods of ����fishermen and disregards the peace-driven objectives of UNCLOS,” Veron said in his post.