Filipino fishermen will be free to catch fish and their rights to earn a livelihood within the country’s territorial waters will be protected at all times under a government headed by presidential bet Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
The PROMDI standard bearer made this assurance following a recent dialogue with shellfish fishermen and vendors in Barangay Siniguelasan, Bacoor City.
The Filipino boxing icon was asked for his reaction to reports that Filipino fishermen are being denied by the Chinese Coast Guard their right to enter usual fishing grounds within the country’s territorial limits, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
Pacquiao said he would not allow this situation to continue.
“Firstly, we will deploy Coast Guard to watch over our fishermen so they can freely fish in our waters,” he said.
The boxing champ earlier admitted that he holds dear fisherfolk, farmers and other Filipinos engaged in agriculture because they belong to the poorest sector of Philippine society.
Denying these people their right to earn a decent living to be able to feed their families, he said, should end, and those behind such callousness, whether fellow Filipinos or foreigners, should stop.
The Mindanaoan senator said government interventions, such as the distribution of modern fishing equipment and additional financial support to ensure increase in yield, will be provided to the country’s agriculture sector should he be elected president.
