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Here's something from the West Philippine Sea: A Filipino fisher from Pag-Asa Island took footage of a China Coast Guard ship that he claims has blocked his path to the sandbar where they go fishing @ABSCBNNews
In the video, Larry Hugo, a 13-year resident of Pag-Asa Island, can be heard saying,
"Marami akong kalaban sa dagat. Ayan, o. Mga barko ng Chinese yan, sa unahan ko lang."
(I have many enemies at sea. There, those are Chinese ships, just ahead of me.) @ABSCBNNews
"Marami akong kalaban sa dagat. Ayan, o. Mga barko ng Chinese yan, sa unahan ko lang."
(I have many enemies at sea. There, those are Chinese ships, just ahead of me.) @ABSCBNNews
He continues, "Hinarang nila ako, hindi ako makapasok sa Sandbar 2. Lalayo muna ako." (They blocked me. I cannot enter Sandbar 2. I need to move away for now.) @ABSCBNNews
We spoke to Larry about his ordeal, and asked the Mayor of the Municipality of Kalayaan (of which the island barangay of Pag-Asa is part) what they are going to do. On @TVPatrol tonight @ABSCBNNews
These are photos I took in June at one of Pag-Asa Island’s 3 sandbars. According to Larry, he came from here - a sandbar locals call Secret Island - and was moving to Sandbar 2 when he was approached by the China Coast Guard ship identical to this one that tailed us @ABSCBNNews
Larry, however, was sure he wasn't just being tailed - he was getting blocked.
"Ako talaga hinaharang nila. Akala ko dadaan lang. Biglang huminto sa may harapan ko. Kinakabahan nga ako eh. Akala ko talagang madadali na ako doon." (translation in next tweet) @ABSCBNNews
"Ako talaga hinaharang nila. Akala ko dadaan lang. Biglang huminto sa may harapan ko. Kinakabahan nga ako eh. Akala ko talagang madadali na ako doon." (translation in next tweet) @ABSCBNNews
Translation: I was really the one they were blocking. I thought it was just passing by. It suddenly stopped in front of me. I got nervous. I thought I was done for. @ABSCBNNews
Larry said he had never experience being blocked before.
"Naaabot ko pa hanggang Sandbar 1. Ngayon lang nangyari na inaabangan kami sa may gitna na yon."
(I used to reach even Sandbar 1. This is the first time they waited for us in the middle like that.) @ABSCBNNews
"Naaabot ko pa hanggang Sandbar 1. Ngayon lang nangyari na inaabangan kami sa may gitna na yon."
(I used to reach even Sandbar 1. This is the first time they waited for us in the middle like that.) @ABSCBNNews
Larry turned his boat away in fear. But he was also angry.
"Siyempre nagalit tayo. Eh dati naman tayong nakapunta dyan, atin man yan. Bakit ngayon babawalan tayong magpunta doon na samantalang dyan tayo nangingiasda, dyan tayo naghahanap buhay?" (translation next) @ABSCBNNews
"Siyempre nagalit tayo. Eh dati naman tayong nakapunta dyan, atin man yan. Bakit ngayon babawalan tayong magpunta doon na samantalang dyan tayo nangingiasda, dyan tayo naghahanap buhay?" (translation next) @ABSCBNNews
Translation:
Of course I got mad. We used to be able to go there, that place is ours. How can they now prevent us from going there when those are our fishing grounds, that is where we earn a living?) @ABSCBNNews
Of course I got mad. We used to be able to go there, that place is ours. How can they now prevent us from going there when those are our fishing grounds, that is where we earn a living?) @ABSCBNNews
But Larry says he's not quite ready to go back there just now.
"Ako, dito na muna ako sa tabi-tabi. Magpa-manman muna ako. Parang natrauma ba ako."
(Me, I'll just stick close to the main island. I'll watch them first. I feel like I got traumatized.) @ABSCBNNews
"Ako, dito na muna ako sa tabi-tabi. Magpa-manman muna ako. Parang natrauma ba ako."
(Me, I'll just stick close to the main island. I'll watch them first. I feel like I got traumatized.) @ABSCBNNews
The AFP Western Command has not released a statement on the incident as of this time. @ABSCBNNews
Roberto del Mundo, the Mayor of the Municipality of Kalayaan (with Pag-Asa Island as its lone barangay), advised his constituents to avoid the sandbars for the meantime in the interest of safety - despite sharing their indignation. (cont) @ABSCBNNews
"Papayuhan ko silang huwag na lang muna pumunta doon sa mga lugar na yan," del Mundo said. "Kasi alam naman nating kahit anong gawin natin, ini-insist din nila [China] na kanila yan. Na kung tutuusin, talaga namang atin naman." @ABSCBNNews
Translation: I would advise them not to go to those areas for now. We know that no matter what we do, they [China] will still insist it is theirs. But in reality, it belongs to us. @ABSCBNNews
Asked what he as mayor would do about the incident, Del Mundo said, "Kami susunod lang kung ano ang utos sa itaas. Sa AFP, DND, saka sa DFA. Lagi lang namang sinasabi sa amin sa Task Force meeting, magpakumbaba lang, manahimik lang, iwas lang para walang gulo." @ABSCBNNews
Translation: We'll follow the orders from above. From the Armed Forces, Defense, and Foreign Affairs Depasrtment. All they ever tell us during Task Force meetings is to be meek, be quiet, step aside to avoid hostilities. @ABSCBNNews
A new law passed by China in Jan 22 casts these situations in a new light - China Coast Guard is now allowed to fire on foreign vessels, establish exclusion zones, demolish structures 'threatening' waters they claim. And they claim the West Philippine Sea. https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/01/22/21/china-authorizes-coast-guard-to-fire-on-foreign-vessels-if-needed
