Filipino fisherfolks complain that Chinese vessels prevent them from getting near the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
During an interview on Tuesday, May 7, Efren, a Filipino fisherman, lamented that only Chinese boats can enter areas bountiful with fish in the Scarborough Shoal.
"Binabantayan nila sa bukana, hindi kami makapasok," Efren said.
The development came amidst the growing tension between the Philippine government and China in the West Philippine Sea, which both countries claim jurisidiction over.
Last April 30, Chinese Coast Guard ships used water cannons against ships of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources en route to Panatag Shoal, another name for the Scarborough Shoal.
Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson of the Philippine Navy for the West Philippine Sea, said a total of 104 Chinese vessels stayed in the West Philippine Sea from April 30 to May 6.
