ABS-CBN correspondent Chiara Zambrano being chased by Chinese naval ships along Ayusin Shoal is just the beginning.
Homonhon Environmental Rescue Organization (Hero) said on Thursday, April 15, that per National Task Force for West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), the Chinese ships found around the Union Banks and Pag-asa Islands were capable of catching at least 1 ton of fish on a daily basis.
This means that 260 tons, or 240,000 kilos, are illegally taken by Chinese poachers in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Hero president Villardo Abuene expressed his concern as China is obviously overfishing, resulting in the depletion of Philippine marine resources.
“The Chinese fishermen have been overfishing, depleting our marine resources,” he said in a statement.
What’s even more disgusting is that these Chinese fishermen are selling the captured fishes to Filipino fisherfolk for a higher price.
“They even sell their catch to our fishermen at a higher price,” he added.
Over Zambales, where the disputed Scarborough Shoal lies, locals have stopped going to their fishing grounds despite it being an abundant aquatic source. The reason is that the resources there are depleting.
With Philippine resources illegally taken, Abuene expressed his worry that this act of China is “worse than invasion”.
He also declared that Filipino fishermen are starving because of the Chinese.
Meanwhile, many celebrities and netizens were angered by China’s illegal poaching inside Philippine territory.
Singer Zsa Zsa Padilla condemned this act of China. What’s worse is that the government is allowing it to happen.
https://twitter.com/zsazsapadilla/status/1382822240408915968
ABS-CBN StarPop Label Head Roque Rox Santos expressed his concern for the fishermen heavily affected by China’s coherent thievery. Santos also took a swipe at the government for being incompetent regarding this matter.
https://twitter.com/roxsantos/status/1382922899883917314
Journalist Noemi Dado even condemned Duterte for not protesting this act of thievery by China.
Nakakagalit. And Duterte does not protest !? #ChinaOut https://t.co/5wAaTO0Hag
— Noemi L. Dado (@momblogger) April 15, 2021
Twitter personality La Butangera pointed that the overfishing done by China is contrary to what they claim—owning the West Philippine Sea. Furthermore, the Netizen stressed that this act of China is a crime itself, thus owing the Philippines billions of pesos.
https://twitter.com/ToniSpeakEasy/status/1382811150853632000
Journalist Raissa Robles took a jab at the “Iisang Dagat” by the Chinese embassy. With China stealing resources from the Philippines, Robles translated the lyrics of the song to “halfsies”, meaning half of the resources of the Philippines for half of the vaccines of China.
https://twitter.com/raissawriter/status/1382855907344719875
Radio host DJ Chacha on the other hand threw some shade at Duterte for claiming that the country is friends with China. The radio personality even highlighted the fact that friends do not steal from each other.
https://twitter.com/_djchacha/status/1382926494712860675
Twitter personality Miss Krizzy emphasized how much fish was being stolen by China—240,000 kilos. The Netizen was frustrated by how heavily harassed Filipino fishermen are due to the occupation of China in their fishing grounds. What angered the Netizen, even more, is that the President says he will handle the matter “privately”.
https://twitter.com/krizzy_kalerqui/status/1382692675892166664
Another Twitter personality ridiculed Duterte for his empty promise during his election campaign. Duterte promised way back in 2016 that he would ride a jet ski along the disputed islands occupied by China and plant a Philippine flag.
With Duterte being silent about this matter, the Netizen was disgusted by how the President could not “walk the talk.”
https://twitter.com/rryyyaaaannnn/status/1382696716063887361
Dr. Tony Leachon also aired his sentiment regarding this matter. Leachon stressed that the Philippines should not surrender its sovereignty to China because of the donated vaccines.
We should not surrender our sovereignty just because China is supplying us with vaccines. We should be firm and focused. https://t.co/58rzA5Rv52
— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) April 16, 2021
In the meantime, Pres. Duterte is dealing with China regarding the matter “privately”. This was announced by Malacañang on Thursday, April 15.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the matter does not need to be public as the president is initiating his diplomatic initiatives towards China.
“Ang larangan ng diplomasya, isang exception to freedom of information,” he said.
“Kung ano man ang ginagawa ng Presidente, hayaan nating gawin niya iyon sa isang pribadong pamamaraan dahil hindi naman po dapat inaanunsyo sa publiko ang mga diplomatic initiatives o hakbang na ginagawa ng Pangulo,” he added.
