Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said there was no truth to reports that Filipino fishermen were being barred from entering parts of the West Philippine Sea, saying he was constantly checking in on his former clients.
Roque made the statement after a group of fishermen claimed that Chinese boats were still blocking their access to parts of the West Philippine Sea, five years after the Philippines won the Hague ruling on the disputed waters.
In his press briefing on Monday, July 12, Roque belied the claims.
"I dispute that," he said.
"Whoever said it must not be reporting the truth and everything but the truth," he added.
According to Roque, he was continuously communicating with his former clients even with the local government unit (LGU) of Masinloc in Zambales and other Pangasinan LGUs.
"Alam ko po (I know), I have personal knowledge, na halos lahat po sila ay nakabalik na sa kanilang hanapbuhay, lalung-lalo na diyan sa Borough (that almost all of them were able to pursue their livelihoods there, especially in the Scarborough Shoal)," he said.
"I just recently met with the mayor two weeks ago precisely to inquire on the welfare of the fishermen pursuing their livelihoods in Borough and there are no reports they can no longer pursue their livelihoods," he added.
Despite this, Roque said Malacañang will look into these reports that Filipino fishermen were being barred in the West Philippine Sea.
"Of course. I will again ask the local officials in the relevant communities to verify if the fishermen are excluded from pursuing their livelihoods in Borough," he said.
"I regularly do so and all reports that I have received indicate that they are continuing their livelihoods in Borough," he added.