THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday, March 25, 2022, that there are more Filipino fishermen fishing off waters in Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales.
The PCG said from February 28 to March 5, they monitored around 45 Filipino fishing boats in the area.
It said that through the ongoing “Bayanihan sa Karagatan,” personnel of BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) and BRP Capones (MRRV-4404) provided Filipino fishermen onboard these vessels with relief supplies and coronavirus disease (Covid-19) kits to ensure their health and welfare while at the sea.
“Seeing more Filipino fishing boats in Bajo de Masinloc is a proof of our intensified efforts to safeguard Filipino fishermen who consider fishing as their primary source of livelihood,” PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said in a statement.
“Through our regular interaction, we assure them that the PCG will remain active and present in the area. Lagi naming binabanggit sa kanila na narito kami para pangalagaan ang kanilang kapakanan at itaguyod ang kanilang kaligtasan,” he added.
It can be recalled that Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc reported several harassment incidents perpetrated by Chinese authorities that prompted the National Government to order the PCG to intensify monitoring and deployment of assets and personnel in the area to protect Filipino fishermen. (SunStar Philippines)