Fear not, AFP chief tells fishers facing China ‘trespassing’ rule

In this photo taken on May 16, 2024, Philippine fishermen aboard their wooden boat catch fish in South China Sea. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

Filipino fishermen should not be intimidated by Beijing’s new policy that takes effect today, June 15, authorizing its coast guard to arrest them for entering their own fishing grounds, the country’s military chief said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an Air Force symposium in Pasay City, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said local fishermen should “not be afraid [and] just go ahead with their normal activities to fish in our exclusive economic zone.”

Ready to stop arrests

“Remember, this exclusive economic zone is ours. We have the right to exploit the resources in the area,” Brawner said on the eve of the implementation of the new Chinese regulation.

While he acknowledged that the AFP was also “concerned about the declaration by China” to arrest “foreigners” crossing waters it has occupied, he said the military and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are prepared to ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: AFP: PH won’t be deterred, intimidated by China’s ‘anti-trespassing’ policy

“We are discussing many measures to be undertaken in order to protect our fishermen,” Brawner said. “So our fishermen should not be afraid.”

The AFP chief was reiterating his remarks at the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore earlier this month.

“We are encouraging our fishermen to continue fishing in our exclusive economic zone, despite the threats coming from China that they are going to arrest civilians who will be coming into their so-called territory,” he told reporters covering Asia’s top defense summit.

On Friday, Brawner said the government has a plan to protect Filipino fishermen amid the new China policy.

But he did not elaborate, apart from saying that “We have also asked some of our allies and partners to help us impose the rules-based international order.”

Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said earlier that the Navy and the PCG are ready to prevent the arrest of Filipino fishermen and have increased patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

Successful mission

Brawner also mentioned to reporters a successful airborne resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal.

“Yes, the last Rore or resupply mission was very successful, but we will not mention the details,” he said.

He added, however, that this time “we made sure no one will seize our supplies.”

Brawner was referring to the most recent resupply mission on May 19, when the China Coast Guard (CCG) seized supplies that had been airdropped for troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.

The CCG also blocked a medical mission to evacuate Philippine Navy personnel at the grounded vessel who were reported ill.

“We will continue rotating our troops in all the features we are occupying in the West Philippine Sea and we will continue to protect our territory and sovereign rights,” Brawner said.