PHL preps measures for Filipino fishermen to be allowed at West Philippine Sea

A fisherman repairs his boat overlooking fishing boats that fish in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, at Masinloc, Zambales, in the Philippines April 22, 2015. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo

by Florante Rosales and  Rita Salonga via RH News 

Philippines - The Philippine government will make sure that Filipino fishermen will be able to set sail at the Scarborough shoal.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the government is coming up with a plan that will assure the safety of Filipino fishermen who want to set sail at the Scarborough shoal.

Secretary Lorenzana made the said statement amid the Chinese Coast guard’s action to halt Filipino fishermen from entering the said fishing ground.

Lorenzana said that concern agencies are now looking into the said matter to find a solution, in case the Filipino fishermen will be barred from entering the said area again.

The DND Secretary added that the Philippines has a lot of options but right now, he would rather keep everything in private because they may reach the Chinese government.

“Let us see what happens in the next couple of days. If they continue to deny entry (to Filipino fishermen), then maybe the government will come up with some actions or solutions to allow these fishermen to go there unimpeded by the Chines Coast guard.”

Meanwhile, the Defense Department is waiting for the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the said matter.

China has control of the Scarborough Shoal after tension ensued between them and the Philippine Navy in 2012.

The Scarborough Shoal is 125 nautical miles from the town of Masinloc, Zambales.