SENATOR Risa Hontiveros has called China out for illegally installing of floating barriers to prevent Filipino fisherfolk from going near Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.
“China’s cruelty knows no bounds. Napakawalang-hiya na agresibo nilang hinaharangan ang ating mangingisda sa sarili nating karagatan,” Hontiveros said in a statement Sunday (September 24).
The Filipino people, Hontiveros said, should not allow their own fisherfolk to starve just because the Chinese Coast Guard is illegally blocking access to them from accessing the traditional fishing off Zambales that is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“Filipino fisherfolk are among the poorest in our country. They only rely on our seas for their food and their livelihood,” Hontiveros said.
“Hindi tayo papayag na patayin sa gutom ng Tsina ang ating mga mamamayan,” she added.
Hontiveros urged the Philippine Coast Guard to escort the Filipino fisherfolk to secure them while passing through the floating barriers.
metrosundaily
