Filipino fishermen prepare to unload fish after arriving from a week-long trip to the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in Infanta, Pangasinan province, Philippines, July 6, 2021. Picture taken July 6, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
MANILA, Philippines — Should he win as the next president, Senator Manny Pacquiao on Monday assured that Filipino fishermen will be free to catch fish as livelihood within the country’s territorial waters, without being harassed by foreigner fishing vessels.
“Hinding-hindi natin papayagan na hindi makapangisda ang ating mga kababayan sa lugar natin,” Pacquiao said during a dialogue with shellfish fishermen and vendors in Barangay Siniguelasan, Bacoor City.
(We will not allow our fishermen to be prohibited from fishing in our country.)
Pacquiao made the remark after he was asked for his reaction to the common complaint of Filipino fishermen that they are being prevented by the Chinese Coast Guard from entering their usual fishing grounds within the country’s territory on the West Philippine Sea.
The Chinese Coast Guard have become more brazen that they have militarized areas that are subject to overlapping claims by various nations.
READ: Chinese militia vessels still in West Philippine Sea – task force
“Unang una, pwede tayong makapaglagay ng mga Coast Guard para magbantay sa mga mangingisda upang malaya silang makapangisda sa ating bakuran,” he added.
(First, we can place coast guards there to monitor our fishermen so that they can fish there.)
Pacquiao said that fisherfolk, along with farmers and other Filipinos engaged in agriculture, are close to his heart 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 should end and those behind such callousness, whether fellow Filipinos or foreigners, should stop, he said.
The senator said that under his government, the distribution of modern fishing equipment and additional financial support to ensure an increase in yield will be provided to the country’s agriculture sector.
Farmers, fishermen and other members of the said sector are in the priority list of underprivileged Filipinos who are recipients of his free housing program.