Jonathan Frederic De Santos

This handout photo released on Feb. 11, 2024 shows Philippine Coast Guard personnel distributing food packs to fishers in Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. Philippine Coast Guard handout photo

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175516613651220240211 MASINLOC.webp" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This handout photo released on Feb. 11, 2024 shows Philippine Coast Guard personnel distributing food packs to fishers in Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. Philippine Coast Guard handout photo</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Following the collision of two Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard boat, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez asserted the area is Philippine territory and the country’s fisherfolk should &quot;enjoy” their fishing rights there.</p><p>“‘Yung Bajo de Masinloc ay talaga sariling atin,&quot; Lopez said in a televised interview on Thursday, August 14 as he cited the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China&#x27;s sweeping claims over a large part of the South China Sea.</p><p>He also stressed that Bajo de Masinloc — also called Panatag and Scarborough shoal — is inside the Philippines&#x27; 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.</p><p>“Ayon na rin sa arbitral ruling, ito ay traditional fishing ground kaya sabi namin sa ating mga mangingisda, ‘Punta kayo doon. Atin ito, at you have to enjoy your fishing rights’,&quot; he said.</p><p>(And according to the arbitral ruling, it is a traditional fishing room so we tell our fisherfolk to go there and enjoy their fishing rights)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/12/afp-condemns-china-s-aggressive-tactics-after-west-philippine-sea-collision-1441"><strong>AFP condemns China&#x27;s &#x27;aggressive tactics&#x27; after West Philippine Sea collision<br/></strong></a></div><p>The 2016 arbitral ruling said that countries, including the Philippines, should not keep fishers from other claimant states from fishing in Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>&quot;Pero alam naman natin na ito ay inaangkin din ng Tsina, at ito ay naglagay ng maraming barko nila,” Lopez added.</p><p>(But we know that China is really claiming it and they are sending so many ships there)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CHINA NOW &#x27;MORE AGGRESSIVE&#x27;</strong></div><p>Lopez also called the incident that occurred on Monday “concerning,” noting that China had become “more aggressive.”</p><p>“Mas naging agresibo ang barko ng Tsina, especially ‘yung kanilang Navy asset na nakikita natin sa video ngayon na halos mabangga o gustong banggain ‘yung ating Coast Guard vessel.&quot;</p><p>(The Chinese ships have become more aggressive, especially their navy asset that we see in the video almost hitting or trying to hit our coast guard vessel)</p><p>The NMC spokesperson said the staff of BRP Suluan continues to have “high morale” following talks with them.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/2-chinese-ships-collide-after-chasing-philippine-vessel-in-bajo-de-masinloc-pcg-1102"><strong>2 Chinese vessels collide while chasing Philippine boat in Bajo de Masinloc: PCG<br/></strong></a></div><p>“Masaya pa rin sila dahil naihatid ng gobyerno ang ating tulong sa kanila. Natuloy ang misyon ng pagbibigay ng pagkain ng petrolyo at tubig doon sa mangingisda… Nagbibigay sa kanila ng tinding tapang,” Lopez said.</p><p>(They are happy because the government was able to give out fuel and food to our fishergolk. That gave them more courage)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CHINESE RESEARCH VESSELS FOR INTELLIGENCE GATHERING</strong></div><p>Regarding the Philippine Navy’s report of an increase in Chinese research vessels in Northern Luzon, Lopez said they also monitored the spike, adding these are used for intelligence gathering.</p><p>The purpose could also be scientific or other “hostile intent,” according to Lopez, adding they may be looking for submarine cables used for communication.</p><p>“Doon sa Norte, sa bandang Taiwan, actually pinuputol nila,” Lopez said.</p><p>(In the north, near Taiwan, they actually cut the cables) </p><p>Lopez believes China also wants to show the Philippines it can reach its waters.</p>

<p>Following the recent collision of two Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc while going towards a Filipino boat, National Maritime Council (NMC) Spokesperson USec. Alexander Lopez asserts the area is the Philippines’ territory and the country’s fisherfolk should “enjoy” their fishing rights there.</p>

Following the recent collision of two Chinese vessels near Bajo de Masinloc while going towards a Filipino boat, National Maritime Council (NMC) Spokesperson USec. Alexander Lopez asserts the area is the Philippines’ territory and the country’s fisherfolk should “enjoy” their fishing rights there.

Filipinos have fishing rights in Bajo de Masinloc, National Maritime Council stresses

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Filipinos have fishing rights in Bajo de Masinloc, National Maritime Council stresses

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 14, 2025 06:11 PM PHT

Read More:

West Philippine Sea

Bajo de Masinloc

fisherfolk

China

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