A group of fisherfolk shrugged off the fishing ban imposed by China in the waters of the West Philippine Sea.
Leonardo Cuaresma, chairperson of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, said on Wednesday, May 29, that the group does not recognize the fishing ban enforced by China, and only observes the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
"Hindi natin kinikilala iyan batas na iyan. Iisa lang naman ang kinikilala natin batas. Ang ating batas ay kung ano lang yung pinaiiral ng ating gobyerno ay doon lang tayo," Cuaresma said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
"Wala tayong pakialam kung sino ang nagsasabi ng batas na iyan dahil hindi naman iyan sa ating gobyerno," he stressed.
The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs has already filed a protest against the fishing moratorium imposed by China starting May to September 16 in some areas of the West Philippine Sea.
DFA stressed that the fishing ban 'violates the Philippines' sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in its maritime zones'.
Last May 23, South China Morning Post reported that a regulatory document will take effect starting June that will empower the Chinese Coast Guard to detain trespassers without trial for 60 days.
Cuaresma expressed trust that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will take action if the Chinese Coast Guard will arrest Filipino fisherfolk for allegedly trespassing in the waters of China.
He also stressed that the any arrest made by China will violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
"Once na ginawa nila iyan sa atin, lintik lang naman ang walang ganti," Cuaresma said.
While Cuaresma admitted that fishing in Bajo De Masinloc, one of the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea, has risks, he pointed out that local fisherfolk need to continue with their livelihood.
"Dati na naman kaming takot sa kahit anong banta diyan sa karagatan kaya immune na kami sa bagay na iyan," Cuaresma remarked.
"Ang amin basta makapangisda lang kami, meron kaming pangtustos sa aming sambahayan ay wala kaming dapat pangambahan dahil alam namin na mas nakakatakot kapag namatay sa gutom ang aming mga pamilya," he added.
