BFAR Asked To Submit Proof Chinese Fishermen Use Cyanide At Karang Scarborough

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) has asked the Fisheries and Water Resources Bureau (BFAR) to submit evidence, claiming that Chinese fishermen used cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough). "“NTF-WPS has asked BFAR to submit all evidence regarding the alleged use of cyanide poison to determine the fact," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said in his message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), quoted via Antara, Tuesday, February 20. He added that it would allow the Philippines to establish facts about the matter. After the incident is confirmed, Malaya said, they will submit the matter to the Attorney General's Office and the Justice Department to determine whether there is initial evidence of a mistake, and who is responsible. "Our lawyers will take action from there," he added. A number of reports say a group of Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen used cyanide to make fish faint in shallow waters, making it easier to catch.

Earlier, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the deployment of ships belonging to the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR in rotation in Bajo de Masinloc would take place from February to protect Filipino fishermen in the area. He added that the deployment was in line with the vision “ Bagong Pilipinas” of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. about food security which is an important element in national development.