Scarborough Shoal trips continue for Zambales fisherfolk amid tension in WPS

A fisherman in Subic town, Zambales province is taking advantage of the good weather to earn a living for his family. He and other fishermen in the coastal town have vowed to continue sailing to the disputed Scarborough Shoal despite the risks. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)

SUBIC, Zambales — Despite the prevailing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, fishermen from this town have sailed to the contested Scarborough Shoal to continue providing for their families.

Boat skipper Michael Fuentes, 33, and his 11-member crew left on Tuesday for another fishing trip to the shoal, also called Panatag or Bajo de Masinloc, unbothered by the increasing presence of Chinese vessels around their traditional fishing ground.

At least 10 other boats departed Monday from Barangay Calapandayan as they took advantage of the good weather before the next typhoon.

Many fishermen in this province have been defying China’s fishing ban, which has been in effect from May 1 to Aug. 16 in the South China Sea, including parts of the WPS.

READ: Zambales fishers defy China ban in West Philippine Sea

“That’s where we earn our livelihood, so even if fishing there is limited, we continue; we just stay away from the Chinese,” Fuentes told the Inquirer.

Fuentes and his crew had to endure a 24-hour journey to reach the shoal, spending P150,000 on diesel and supplies for their trip.

“I hope we make the most of it because it’s not like before. When the weather is bad, we can stay at the shoal instead of going home. Now, if the weather turns bad, we have to go back, and it’s a loss,” Fuentes added.

The shoal was once a rich fishing ground and a storm shelter for Filipino and foreign fishermen. However, it has been off-limits or regulated by Chinese vessels since 2012 as part of China’s historic claim over most of the South China Sea.

In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague rejected China’s claim in favor of the Philippines. However, the Duterte administration set aside the decision, in favor of bilateral talks with Beijing.

Last month, Beijing announced new rules allowing its coast guard to detain foreigners for up to 60 days without trial if they cross into Chinese-claimed territory.

READ: Solon urges gov’t to protect fishers amid tension in West Philippine Sea

Another fisherman from Masinloc, Enosentes Forones, said the situation was worse during the previous administration, “when the president declared that the Philippines had no right to the shoal.”

“That was the former president’s fault; he sold us to China,” Forones said.

Like many fishermen in the province, Foronas has experienced harassment and bullying from the Chinese Coast Guard. Incidents like those at Ayungin Shoal are not new to him.

Forones recalled the Chinese Coast Guard boarding their boats and stealing their best catch, with authorities ignoring their reports.

“It’s been a long time. We’ve been robbed and blasted with water cannons for years, but no one paid attention to our stories before,” Forones said.