Beijing is not backing down from its circling
claim in the West Philippines Sea after its 11
fishermen were arrested for engaging in illegal turtle trade last May. In fact,
after their fishermen were arrested, China has even extended earlier its
oceanic patrols toward the shoal to protect its fishing boat in disputed
waters.
Local fishermen from islets near Palawan
noticed this development at the shoal and in other rich fishing grounds in the
region. Fishermen said there was always Chinese coast guard ship lurking around
protecting their fishing vessel while carrying sea turtles.
Once, a Chinese missile-firing frigate ran
aground in the shoal but was immediately
removed by China while claiming it has free rights over the shoal and its neighboring
waters .Chinese coast guard ships seen near the
Shoal are all coming from Mischief Reef.
Mischief Reef is in the Philippine territory,
but it has been controlled by the Chinese since 1994 when they firstly occupied
the place as their fisherman’s shelter. Later,
the reef was developed into a marine facility and naval station of China’s
Southern Fleet.
The Chinese vessels are also seen by the local fishermen guarding the Ayungin Shoal where a dependent of
Philippine Marines are being stationed. It is said that Chinese are taking
shelter at the Philippine Navy’s grounded ship BRP Sierra Madre.
However, local fishermen are not scared by the
exaggerated presence of Chinese patrol ships in most of the fishing grounds in the
West Philippine Sea because they know that they are fishing within Philippine
territory but what makes them upsetting is the obvious lack of support from the
Philippines government to protect its fishermen from the harassment of China.
Chinese fishermen are buying sea turtles and
other rare sea species from their local contacts. Engaging in the sea turtle
trade is more lucrative than fishing because the Chinese dealers are buying
them at higher prices.
