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Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal catch fish within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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Fish

Bianca Dava

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171687458676120240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-47.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal catch fish within the Philippines&#x27; exclusive economic zone on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal catch fish within the Philippines&#x27; exclusive economic zone on May 16, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Navy assures Filipinos it will not be deterred in performing its mandate of protecting the people and securing the State.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/28/consistency-a-challenge-for-west-philippine-sea-policy-geopolitical-analyst-1235"> Consistency a challenge for West Philippine Sea policy: geopolitical analyst</a></div><p>This, amid China’s imposition of a unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“The Philippine Navy does not recognize this provocative statement nor will we be deterred in performing our mandate of securing the welfare of the Filipino wherever he or she is—on land or [at] sea,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said in text message sent to reporters on Tuesday.</p><p>China imposed the fishing ban in the South China Sea from May 1 to September 16.</p><p>Earlier, Beijing announced its coast guard would start detaining “trespassers” in the waterway for up to 60 days without trial. The detention policy is said to take effect in June.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/20/philippines-to-snub-china-s-arrest-threat-vs-trespassers-1340"> Philippines to snub China&#x27;s arrest threat vs &#x27;trespassers&#x27;</a></div><p>Trinidad noted the Philippine Navy has increased its patrols in the entire West Philippine Sea and “in our northern islands” even prior to China’s fishing moratorium.</p><p>The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday protested Beijing’s unilateral fishing ban, saying it violates international law and undermines Manila’s sovereignty and maritime rights.</p><p>In a statement, the DFA said the fishing ban “raises tensions in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, and directly contravenes the understanding between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping to manage differences through diplomacy and dialogue to de-escalate the situation at sea.”</p><div><strong>GOVERNMENT AID &#x27;NOT ENOUGH&#x27;</strong></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3046179"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p>In an interview with ANC, New Masinloc Fishermen Association president Leonardo Cuaresma said the fishing ban is nothing new for them and will not affect their work in any way.</p><p>&quot;Hanggang maganda ang panahon at kaya naming mangisda, patuloy kami sa pangingisda,&quot; he said.</p><p>(As long as the weather is fine we will continue fishing.)</p><p>What makes China&#x27;s fishing ban this year different was its recent policy on arresting &quot;trespassers&quot; without trial.</p><p>While the government provides aid for fishermen, Cuaresma said it is not enough. Instead, they want something more sustainable that would help them stabilize their livelihood amid the ongoing tension.</p><p>&quot;Hindi kami natutuwa sa ayuda. Pag namimigay sila isa o dalawang araw wala na po yan. Kung sila tutulong ang kailangan namin matatag na hanapbuhay, hindi pansamantala lang na pangangailangan,&quot; he said.</p><p>(The government aid is not enough. It runs out after a day or two. What we need is something more sustainable.)</p><div><strong>CHINESE VESSELS SPOTTED</strong></div><p>The Philippine Navy on Tuesday also reported the presence of over 120 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, a drop from figures it reported last week.</p><p>Trinidad said a total of 122 Chinese ships were monitored in Philippine-occupied islands and features in the West Philippine Sea from May 21 to 27.</p><p>Of this number, 15 were China Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs), 5 were People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels (PLANVs), and 102 were Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs).</p><p>In Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, 5 CCGVs and 14 CMMVs were sighted; in Ayungin Shoal, 5 CCGVs and 17 CMMVs were monitored; while in Pagasa Island, 34 CMMVs, and one CCGV and PLANV each were observed.</p><p>The Philippine Navy also reported the presence of 2 CCGVs, 4 PLANVs and 30 CMMVs in Sabina or Escoda Shoal.</p><p>Additionally, Chinese vessels were spotted in the following features: Patag Island (2 CCGVs and 2 CMMVs); Panata Island (3 CMMVs); Lawak Island (1 CMMV); and Kota Island (1 CMMV).</p><p>The numbers are lower compared to the data reported by the Philippine Navy from May 14 to 20, where as many as 131 CMMVs, 7 PLANVs and 5 CCGVs were observed in the maritime features.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aNSJJQPn6Ps?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>China imposed the fishing ban in the South China Sea from May 1 to September 16.</p>

China imposed the fishing ban in the South China Sea from May 1 to September 16.

'Undeterred' PH Navy 'to secure welfare of Filipinos' amid China fishing ban

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'Undeterred' PH Navy 'to secure welfare of Filipinos' amid China fishing ban

Bianca Dava,

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 28, 2024 02:14 PM PHT

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Updated May 28, 2024 02:53 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Navy

China

fishing ban

South China Sea

West Philippine Sea

ANC

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