President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, February 20, said the Philippine government can file charges against China "if there is enough ground" that Chinese fishermen use cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc.
"If we feel that there is enough ground to do so, we will," he told reporters in an interview.
Marcos cited that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has already confirmed that there have been cyanide activities in the Philippine waters.
"As far as we can tell, there is really is. Sabi ng BFAR, talagang meron gumagamit. Meron nagsasabi na matagal nang ginagawa iyan. I do know that there are cases of cynabide fishing before here in the Philippine," he said.
The chief executive added that cyanide activities are alarming now as these become more prevalent.
Speaking in a press conference last Monday, February 19, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning falsified BFAR's claim that Chinese fishermen use cyanide to "intentionally destroy" Bajo de Masinloc and prevent Filipino fishermen from fishing.
"This claim is sheer fabrication. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of the eco-environment and conservation of fishing resources and resolutely fights against fishing activities that violate laws and regulations," she said.
National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya has proclaimed that they will probe the cyanide fishing allegations.
"We at the National Security Council are alarmed by this development. But we also have to be careful, we have to validate and investigate. So, sabi namin sa BFAR, complete the documentation that you have taken, the evidence, and affidavits, lahat ng makukuha natin. Submit your post-mission report to the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea. We will investigate this report," Malaya said during PTV's "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon" program.
