For fishermen’s security: Coast Guard urged to deploy ships in West PH Sea

By Billy Begas

House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate urged the government to deploy Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to escort fishermen.

Zarate said the deployment should not just for momentary drills but should be there to protect Filipino fishermen from Chinese harassment.

“China is apparently treating the Duterte administration as a push over by doing what they want in Bajo de Masinloc and the rest of the West Philippine Sea without nary a whimper from Pres. Duterte,” Zarate said.

He also scored the Duterte administration for its “lackadaisical actions in defending our Filipino fishermen and national sovereignty.”

“Our officials should always assert our independence, instead of them acting as apologists for China, who apparently now treat the Philippines as her vassal state,” he added.

Zarate insisted that there is no need to declare war on China but Duterte should “stand up for our fisherfolks and our territory.”

The solon said that he is against the plan of the United States and its allies to intensify and expand its naval patrols in the WPS basically challenging China’s military build-up in the area.

“The situation in the WPS is already getting serious. The US and China should stop their sabre rattling so as to lessen the tension in the area. The Philippines along with other claimants in the area are in a situation akin to having two bullies in their backyard raring for a fight and thrash each other without regard for the backyard or the nearby houses and their residents,” he added.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)