MANILA, Philippines – Hiniling ni Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri nitong Linggo, Setyembre 24, sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) na putulin at alisin ang floating barrier na sinasabing inilagay ng China Coast Guard (CCG) sa southeast portion ng Bajo de Masinloc o Scarborough Shoal.
Ito ay kasunod ng ulat ng PCG na namataan nila ang 300 metrong floating barrier sa Scarborough Shoal nitong Biyernes, dahilan para hindi makapasok sa lugar ang mga mangingisdang Pinoy.
Ani Zubiri, nasabihan siya tungkol dito nito lamang Sabado.
“I would like to request our Philippine Coast Guard to immediately cut and remove all these illegal structures located at our West Philippine Sea not just to assert our sovereign rights to the area but to protect our fishermen from any possible accidents that may arise from these illegal structures,” saad sa pahayag ng Senate President.
Ayon sa PCG, tatlong CCG rigid hull inflatable boats at Chinese maritime militia service boat ang naglagay ng floating barrier sa pagdating ng mga tauhan ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sa bisinidad ng shoal.
“It was reported by the Filipino fishermen that the CCG vessels usually installed floating barriers whenever they monitor a large number of Filipino fishermen in the area,” pahayag ng PCG.
Apat na CCG ang umano’y nanguna sa serye ng 15 radio challenges sa pagtatangkang itaboy ang barko ng BFAR at mga mangingisdang Pinoy sa Bajo de Masinloc.
Iginiit ni Zubiri na walang karapatan ang China na maglagay ng kahit anong istruktura sa exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas.
“First of all, they have no right to put any structures within our Exclusive Economic Zone and secondly, these structures pose a danger to passing fishing boats that can get entangled on the lines and cause considerable damage to the propellers and engines of our fisherfolk,” ani Zubiri.
Nagpasalamat naman siya sa PCG sa “untiring and unwavering commitment to watch and protect the areas” na pasok sa EEZ ng Pilipinas, kabilang ang Bajo de Masinloc na pasok din sa 12 nautical mile territory ng bansa.
“We in the Senate stand by our brave men and women who risk their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy today” dagdag niya. RNT/JGC
