Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino strongly encouraged Filipino fishermen to take extra precautions when venturing into their traditional fishing grounds in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This comes after China imposed a new policy to arrest and detain fishermen for up to 60 days without trial within its claimed territories, which include the disputed Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
Tolentino noted that Filipino law enforcers historically patrolled Bajo de Masinloc, ensuring the area’s status as a traditional fishing ground of the Philippines. In the past, foreign fishermen, including Chinese and Vietnamese, were apprehended for illegal poaching in these waters.
“And now it is the other way around. We will be detained for 60 days without trial,” said Tolentino, chair of the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones.
Tolentino recently met with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo to discuss the implications of China’s new policy. They agreed that any detainment of Filipino fishermen by Chinese authorities would constitute a severe escalation in the ongoing maritime dispute.
A major concern is the ambiguity surrounding the location where detained Filipino fishermen would be held.
Despite this, Tolentino reiterated the stance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG): Filipino fishermen should continue to fish and assert their rights in the WPS.
The senator also addressed the enforcement of China’s domestic laws in the WPS. He warned that recognizing these laws could lead to the de facto surrender of the Philippines’ traditional fishing grounds. This would be a significant blow to the sovereignty and fishing rights of the Filipino people.
Masinloc, Zambales Mayor Arsenia Lim expressed her apprehension regarding the potential arrest of local fishermen. She raised concerns about the practicalities of consular visits under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which applies to the detainment of citizens in foreign territories.
Lim noted that recognizing consular visits to Bajo de Masinloc would imply acceptance of Chinese jurisdiction over the area. In light of these developments, the mayor advised fishermen from Masinloc to avoid high-risk areas.
The local community has already suffered significantly, with more than half of their previous catch lost due to the ongoing threats from China. Lim also highlighted the financial strain on those who invested in payao (fish aggregating devices), which require substantial capital, often exceeding P100,000.