President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will file a case against foreign entities using cyanide in the West Philippine Sea, in particular at Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, if there is evidence to prove the illegal fishing practice.
“If we feel that there are enough grounds to do so, we will,” Mr. Marcos said.
“I do know that there have been cases of cyanide fishing before, even here in the Philippines but I think the reason that it has been more alarming is that it has become more prevalent,” he added.
The National Security Council raised the possible filing of a case against foreign fishers in WPS after Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources spokesperson Nazario Briguera reported Chinese and Vietnamese vessels using cyanide near Bajo de Masinloc.
Briguera said parts of the resource-rich area had been destroyed by cyanide fishing.
NSC assistant director-general Jonathan Malaya said the council would investigate the accusation of BFAR, which was directed to gather evidence for its claims.
“And if we see that there’s probable cause or there is enough evidence to prove this claim, we will forward this to the Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice so we can prepare for the case we will file,” Malaya said.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra underscored the need for “careful factual verification” given the seriousness of the claim.
Guevarra said the OSG “has been studying legal options on the WPS completely on its own.
“But when the time is ripe the OSG will collaborate with otherrelevant agencies, including the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), the DOJ (Department of Justice), the NSC (National Security Council), and other key members of the national task force on the WPS,” he said.
“Any legal action must be supported by strong, solid, and competent evidence that can withstand the scrutiny of any international tribunal. All government agencies must work together and support each other to achieve the common goal of protecting the country’s sovereign rights in the WPS,” Guevarra added.
Bajo de Masinloc has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. Since then, Beijing has deployed patrol boats that Manila said harass Philippine vessels and prevent Filipino fishermen from reaching a lagoon where fish are more plentiful.
