Fishermen launch their boats

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1718361389380Fishermen launch their boats.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Fishermen launch their boats on the beach along the coast of Zambales, on April 4, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file"/> Fishermen launch their boats on the beach along the coast of Zambales, on April 4, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file</div>MANILA — Amid China’s new regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners accused of trespassing in the West Philippine Sea, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. told Filipinos to continue fishing in the area.Brawner said the military, along with maritime law enforcement agencies, will protect Filipino fishermen as Beijing’s anti-trespassing policy is set to take effect on Saturday, June 15.The AFP chief maintained that Filipinos have the right to fish in waters well within the country’s exclusive economic zone.“Kasama natin dito ang PCG, PNP, BFAR and other agencies that are concerned. Kasama rin natin dito hindi lang ang uniformed personnel… and especially ang mga mangingisda natin. Sila ang apektado. Tayong lahat ay apektado by this, so we really have to work together. Dapat isang bansa tayo na nag-aaddress ng ganitong problema,” Brawner told reporters in an interview on Friday.“Ganun ang mensahe natin sa ating mga mangingisda. Sinabi namin sa kanila for them not to be afraid, but to just go ahead with their normal activities na mangisda sa ating EEZ. Atin itong EEZ. We have the right to exploit the resources in the area,” he added.“Dapat hindi matakot ang ating mga mangingisda. Nandiyan po ang inyong AFP, ang ating Philippine Navy, pati na ang PCG. Marami tayong pinag-uusapan ngayon na mga hakbangin na gagawin in order for us to protect our fishermen,” he further said.Under China’s controversial regulation, foreigners accused of illegally entering “Chinese waters” can be detained for up to 60 days without trial.<div>AFP undeterred</div>Ahead of China’s implementation of the anti-trespassing rule, the AFP stressed anew that it will not be deterred in performing its mandate.In a statement, AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad on Friday said Beijing’s new policy undermines the rule of law and international norms that govern maritime conduct.“The presence and actions of its vessels in our waters are illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive. We will not be deterred or intimidated,” Trinidad told ABS-CBN News in a text message.“The AFP remains steadfast in our mission to protect our nation’s rights and ensure the safety of our personnel and citizens in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.The AFP said it will continue conducting maritime patrols in areas within the Philippines’ jurisdiction.On Tuesday, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Philippine government will not allow China to arrest Filipinos who will access the West Philippine Sea.He noted that they have increased patrols in the said waters.The country is also involving its partners and allies, he added.“Nothing will happen. The actions right now of the Philippine Navy, AFP, PCG and BFAR and all maritime players of the Philippine government are to prevent such situations [detention of Filipinos accessing the WPS],” Trinidad said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.“We are not the only one concerned. Even other countries are concerned about that. This is not only the problem of the Philippines, but the problem of ASEAN and the international community,” he continued.Meanwhile, Brawner said personnel of the BRP Sierra in Ayungin Shoal received their supplies through an airdrop operation recently.Brawner declined to provide more details, but said that the military made sure that the supplies would successfully be brought to troops stationed in the grounded vessel.“Very successful ang ginawa nating last resupply mission, pero hindi na natin babanggitin ang mga detalye. It’s enough to say that we will continue bringing supplies to our troops and rotating our troops in all the features we are occupying in the WPS, and we will continue to protect our territory and our sovereign rights,” the AFP chief said.He then continued, “Walang nang-agaw. We made sure na hindi na po maagaw ang supplies natin, at the same time, we are also careful na hindi naman mag-escalate ang situation dahil ang hangarin po ng AFP at ng ating bayan, as stated by our president, is dapat pigilan ang giyera. We have to prevent war, but at the same time, we have to exert our rights in the WPS.”During a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre on May 19, personnel of the China Coast Guard intercepted one of the four supply packages airdropped by a military aircraft due to suspicions that this carried construction materials.After seizing what turned out to be food supplies, the CCG personnel then dumped these into the ocean.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/4/afp-confirms-china-coast-guard-seized-dumped-supplies-meant-for-ayungin-troops-1127">China Coast Guard &#x27;seized, dumped&#x27; supplies meant for Ayungin troops: AFP</a></div><div>RELATED VIDEO</div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/supVwKwgons?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Amid China’s new regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners accused of trespassing in the South China Sea, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. told Filipinos to continue fishing in the West Philippine Sea.

Amid China’s new regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners accused of trespassing in the South China Sea, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. told Filipinos to continue fishing in the West Philippine Sea.

Brawner tells Filipino fishermen in West PH Sea: ‘Go ahead and fish’

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Brawner tells Filipino fishermen in West PH Sea: ‘Go ahead and fish’

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 14, 2024 06:42 PM PHT

|

Updated Jun 14, 2024 06:44 PM PHT

Read More:

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

detention policy

trespassing

China

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