Duterte vows to tackle Filipino fishermen’s plight with Xi

President Duterte will raise his concern about the plight of Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal in case he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping again, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President would assert the government’s stance against any oppression of the local fishermen sailing in Panatag before his Chinese counterpart.

Roque noted the President has already called for a probe on the alleged seizure of catch of local fishermen by Chinese coast guards during his recent encounter with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua.

“We don't tolerate the extortion of fish from our nationals and that's what the President raised the matter before the ambassador. The President no longer relied on diplomatic channels and personally discussed the matter with the ambassador,” Roque in Filipino over government radio.

“And if there will be an opportunity, the President will go straight to President Xi because our nationals must not be oppressed,” he added.

Roque said the President does not want a repeat of the incident in Panatag when a portion of fishermen's catch was reportedly taken by the Chinese. He noted that fishermen have access to Panatag Shoal since it is recognized as a traditional fishing ground.

Vice President Leni Robredo, meanwhile, found “insulting” to all Filipinos the claim of China that it has allowed Filipino fishermen to fish in Panatag Shoal in the West Philippines Sea “out of goodwill.”

“That’s a big slap to us. It’s a big insult because why do we have to seek permission in your own [territory]… that belongs to our country,” Robredo said in Filipino at the sidelines of her Metro Laylayan visit to Sto. Niño, Tanay, Rizal.

Robredo, a lawyer, asserted again the country’s rights in line with the 2016 Hague ruling that upheld the exclusive rights of the Philippines over the resources within the West Philippine Sea.

“The ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal stated the fishing ground is within our exclusive economic zone, that our fishermen have the exclusive rights to fish there. Why do we need permission from China?” Robredo asked.

But acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio, a member of the Philippines’ arbitration team in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), said the Philippines cannot invoke sovereign rights over Panatag Shoal since the 2016 decision of the Arbitral Tribunal did not settle the dispute with China for lack of jurisdiction.

He said the arbitral ruling clearly stated that Filipinos have the right to fish in the Panatag Shoal together with Chinese fishermen.

“The ruling says that Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino and Chinese fishermen. So both can fish there,” Carpio said.