Secure Filipino fishermen who want to fish in WPS, Pimentel tells gov’t

Closer view of one set of fishing vessels at Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef, in this Maxar handout satellite image.

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Koko Pimentel on Friday called on the government to protect the country’s economic rights in the West Philippine Sea that is currently swarming with ships from China.

“Send more patrols to monitor our EEZ in order to protect our economic rights to the resources in the area. If necessary we (navy, coast guard, BFAR, PNP maritime) should assist in securing Filipino fishermen who want to fish in the said areas” he said in a message to reporters.

He added that the DFA should record this latest incident and make it the basis or part of the basis for another diplomatic protest.

“We make appeal to all parties / states to refrain from any action or move that increases the tension in the area. The area is tense already hence we should all be careful.” he added.

Pimentel is not the first senator who raised their concern over China’s invasion of the West Philippine sea.

READ: PH military opens probe on China ships’ chase of Filipino vessel in WPS

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Panfilo Lacson assailed the latest Chinese incursion, with the former saying that what Beijing has been doing in the disputed sea is “by all accounts… maritime bullying.”

Lacson, meanwhile, noted the “sad reality” that while the ruling of The Hague granting victory to the Philippines’ territorial claims, “it is unenforceable.”

“The situation is made worse when our country’s leaders and foreign policy decision-makers resort to acquiesce bordering on implied derogation of our sovereignty,” he said.

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