MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 25, 2014) –The Philippines on Tuesday demanded an explanation from China over the reported firing of water cannons at Filipino fishermen at the Bajo de Masinloc or Huangyan Island being claimed by both countries.
The island, also called Scarborough Shoal or Scarborough Reef, is located between the Macclesfield Bank and Luzon island in the Philippines in the South China Sea or as Manila now claimed as the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Manila to strongly protest the efforts of China to prohibit Filipino fishermen from undertaking fishing activities in Bajo de Masinloc.
“Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippines and over which the Philippines exercises sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction. Philippine fishing vessels have been routinely, continuously, and peacefully and sustainably fishing in Bajo de Masinloc,” the DFA said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
“The Department likewise strongly protests the acts of harassment and the manner by which these were committed by China to forcefully drive away Philippine fishing vessels from Bajo de Masinloc. Finally, the Department vehemently protests the acts of China when its law enforcement vessels drove away Philippine fishing vessels seeking shelter in the Philippines’ Bajo de Masinloc during inclement weather,” it added.
The DFA said it received reports that two Filipino fishing boats were harassed by a China Coast Guard vessel with Bow Number 3063 on January 27 in Bajo de Masinloc. It said vessel continuously blew its horn and then doused the fishing boats with water cannons for several minutes.
It said 9 similar reports of harassments of Filipino fishermen were committed by Chinese Maritime Law Enforcement Agency vessels last year, where even during bad weather conditions Philippine fishing boats were driven away from the area.
The Chinese news agency Xinhua said Beijing does not accept Manila’s protest on alleged firing of water cannon at Filipino fishermen.
“China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters, Huangyan Island included,” said embassy spokesman Zhuang Hua, adding that Chinese government vessels are conducting regular patrols in waters within China’s jurisdiction.
“We urge the Philippine side to work with the Chinese side to resolve differences through bilateral consultations and negotiations,” Zhuang Hua said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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