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Huge waves shorten fishing expedition aiming to assert rights in West Philippine Sea

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Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Huge waves posed a challenge to the fishing expedition led by Pamalakaya fisherfolk in Masinloc, Zambales, which aimed to defy <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">China&#x27;s unilateral declaration of a fishing ban in waters that include the West Philippine Sea.</span> </p><p>The convoy returned to the shore of Barangay Collat early Friday morning, after spending the night at sea.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/29/china-out-of-their-mind-for-imposing-fishing-ban-in-disputed-sea-ph-navy-1326" id="isPasted">• China &#x27;out of their mind&#x27; for imposing &#x27;unilateral&#x27; fishing ban in disputed sea: PH Navy</a></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3048568"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p style="text-align:center">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(60, 151, 255)" target="_blank">iWantTFC.com</a>. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.</p><p>Fishermen who joined the expedition said they only got as far as 10 nautical miles due to waves measuring 2 to 3 feet. After that, they went back to a spot 6-7 nautical miles from the shore, where they fished using a method called kawil.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/28/filipino-fishermen-unfazed-by-china-s-fishing-ban-arrest-threat-2201">• Filipino fishermen unfazed by China’s fishing ban, arrest threat</a></div><p>&quot;Dahil sa panahon, nasa 10 pa lang kami, sinalubong na kami ng malalaking daluyong, hindi na namin isinapalaran yung aming maliliit na mangingisda,&quot; said Joey Marabe of Pamalakaya.</p><p>(Because of the weather, we were not able to go beyond 10 nautical miles. We didn&#x27;t want to risk it.)</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17171297429341717129740985.png" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Fisherman Jojo Ecijan showed some of their catch in their collective fishing expedition. "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fisherman Jojo Ecijan showed some of their catch in their collective fishing expedition. </span></span></span></div><p>But they said they still were able to register their resolve to stand up for their rights to livelihood in the contested West Philippine Sea.</p><p>&quot;Ipinagtatanggol pa rin namin ang kasarinlan ng ating karagatan... Higit ang takot namin kung kami ay pagbabawalan na hindi na makapangisda,&quot; Marabe said.</p><p>(We fought for our right to this waters. We were more frightened by the threat of not being able to fish here.)</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>On National Fisherfolk Day this May 31, fishermen called on the government to strengthen protection in the area.</p><p>&quot;Protektahan at pangalagaan ang mangingisdang Pilipino, sana yung hakbang na ginawa namin ay pagbubukas na hindi kami pigilan,&quot; Marabe added.</p><p>(Let&#x27;s protect our Filipino fishermen.)</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/29/china-out-of-their-mind-for-imposing-fishing-ban-in-disputed-sea-ph-navy-1326" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(93, 155, 192);text-decoration:none;user-select:auto;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">China &#x27;out of their mind&#x27; for imposing &#x27;unilateral&#x27; fishing ban in disputed sea: PH Navy</a></div><p>Fishermen said they would not stop from holding fishing activities since they need to feed their families.</p><p>&quot;Hindi kami natatakot na makapangisda jan kasi kung di kami mangingisda, ano ibubuhay namin sa pamilya namin?&quot; said Jojo Ecijan, president of Samahang Panatag.</p><p>(If we stop fishing here, what would happen to our families?)</p><p>The Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives extended support to the fishermen.</p><p>Rep. France Castro of the ACT-Teacher&#x27;s Partylist also slammed China&#x27;s pronouncement threatening to detain foreigners who will be allegedly trespassing the sea.</p><p>&quot;Dapat nating labanan ito at dapat ipaglaban ng lahat ng bansa na may stake sa West Philippine Sea ay malayang makapangisda,&quot; Castro said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/29/china-says-philippines-shouldn-t-worry-about-new-coast-guard-rules-1829">China says Philippines shouldn&#x27;t &#x27;worry&#x27; about new coast guard rules</a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/30/environmental-complaint-vs-china-may-be-ready-in-a-few-weeks-doj-1451">Environmental complaint vs China may be ready &#x27;in a few weeks&#x27;, says DOJ</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3047909"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p style="text-align:center">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(60, 151, 255)" target="_blank">iWantTFC.com</a>. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.</p>

<p>On National Fisherfolk Day, fishermen called on the government for stronger protection in the area.</p>

On National Fisherfolk Day, fishermen called on the government for stronger protection in the area.