The mayor of Kalayaan town on Pag-asa Island made these remarks on Friday, expressing concern over the recent announcement by Chinese authorities.
If true, it poses a threat not only to local fishermen but also to the navies patrolling the area, Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr. told Interaksyon.com.
"Madami madadamay like Malaysia, Vietnam and Filipino fishermen kasi lahat ito may encroachment sa West Philippine Sea at may mga
garrisons/lighthouses. Binibisita pa ng kani-kanilang navies," Bito-onon said.
(Malaysian, Vietnamese, and Flipino fishers will be affected. The navies of their countries also visit garrisons and lighthouses in the areas in the West Philippine Sea.)
China Daily reported that police in Hainan will board and search ships that enter into what China considers as its own waters in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
The rule is said to take effect on January 1.
"If foreign ships or crew members violate regulations, Hainan police have the right to take over the ships or their communication systems, under the revised regulations," the report said.
Fishermen from all over the country pass through West Philippine Sea to fish and Bito-onon called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately clarify with China the report.
"Malaking issue at problema ng mundo if they (China) do that. About two-thirds of the world's maritime vessels passes the Palawan passage in the West Philippine Sea," Bito-onon said.
(This will be a huge global problem if China does that.)
He added that China's plan could be an "infringement of freedom of navigation."
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin also expressed concern over China's reported plan.
"Siguro kinakailangang at this point mag-file tayo agad ng diplomatic protest and action on this," Gazmin said Friday.-Interaksyon (November 30, 2012 1:45PM)
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