Despite the rough waves and strong winds, PAMALAKAYA fishermen in Zambales prevailed in their fishing expedition to Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Undeterred by the threat of arrest, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas demonstrated their defiance against the four-month ban China had imposed.
As they were unable to reach the actual fishing grounds, PAMALAKAYA National President Fernando Hicap announced that they will stage another attempt to do so.
The fishermen turned back because of unfavorable weather, which stirred powerful waves and winds.
"Mayroon po kaming pinaplano na medyo malaki-laki, 'yun nga 'yung medyo malalaki-laki nang bangka," Hicap revealed. "Kaya lang, kailangan 'yang paghandaan kasi malaki rin yung gasolinang kailangan. Gastos eh."
["We're making plans for something bigger, to use bigger vessels. Although the thing is, we have to prepare for that because we'd need a great amount of gasoline. It's costly."]
Hicap also stated that the fishermen are ready to defend their democratic rights to freely fish in Philippine waters. He also thinks it is the Chinese who should be arrested for illegally lingering in the Philippine's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
