Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has called on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to remove the floating barrier installed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the southeast portion of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

Zubiri made the call on Sunday, September 24, as he expressed his dismay to another of the CCG’s attempt to prevent Filipino fishermen from entering the area to conduct fishing activities.

“First of all they have no right to put any structures within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and secondly, these structures pose a danger on passing fishing boats that can get entangled on the lines and cause considerable damage to the propellers and engines of our fisherfolk,” Zubiri said in a statement. 

“Therefore, I would like to request our Philippine Coast Guard to immediately cut and remove all these illegal structures located at our West Philippine Sea not just to assert our sovereign rights to the area but to protect our fishermen from any possible accidents that may arise from these illegal structures,” the Senate leader added.

According to the PCG, the floating barrier, has an estimated length of 300 meters and was discovered together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The barrier was discovered on Friday, September 22 while they were conducting a maritime patrol mission in Bajo de Masinloc.

More than 50 Filipiino fishing boats were conducting fishing activities at the time they were found by the BFAR within the vicinity.

The PCG also said the CCG crew alleged that the presence of BFAR vessel and the Filipino fishermen in the area was a violation of international law and domestic laws of the People’s Republic of China.

Both the PCG and BFAR denounced the installation of the floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal.

Zubiri, at the same time, thanked the PCG for its untiring ang unwavering commitment to watch and protect the areas within the country’s EEZ and Bajo de Masinloc which is “well within our 12NM territory.” 

“We, in the Senate, stand by our brave men and women who risk their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy today,” the Senate leader said.

Sen. Francis Tolentino supported Zubiri’s call: "Sangayon po ako na tanggalin ang floating barrier dahil bawal mag lagay ng palatandaan na ito ay ‘restricted zone’.” (I agree that the floating barrier should be removed because it’s not allowed to install markers indicating this is a restricted zone.)

“At ang Pilipinas lang ang pwedeng maglagay nito kung merong oil spill o bahagi ng aquaculture management as a temporaray measure (And only the Philippines can do this if there is an oil spill or as part of an aquaculture management exercise as a temporary measure),” he said.

Tolentino also said China should not force Filipino fishermen to fish “in our own backyard” given that Bajo de Masinloc is only 120 nautical miles from Zambales.

“Labag sa international law ang paglalagay ng China ng floating barrier at ito ay daoat maalis kaagad. Tama ang ginawa ng PCG na alalayan ang ating mga mangigisda (China's installation of a floating barrier is against international law and it must be removed immediately. PCG did the right thing to support our fishermen,” the senator stressed.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros also slammed the CCG over its actions, saying “China’s cruelty knows no bounds.”

“Filipino fisherfolk are among the poorest in our country. They only rely on our seas for their food and their livelihood,” Hontiveros said also in a separate statement.

“Napakarami naring mga bahura sa West Philippine Sea ang sinira ng Tsina. Ito’y mga likas-yaman na hindi na mapapakinabangan ng mga susunod na henerasyon (China has destroyed so many reefs in the West Philippine Sea. These are natural resources that future generations will no longer benefit from),” she further lamented.

The opposition senator said the government should not allow its citizens to be starved to death by China. 

Hontiveros said she also trusts that the PCG can escort fishermen and ensure that they pass through the floating barriers. 

“Muli din akong nanawagan sa kasalukuyang administrayon na suriin na ang national policy natin pagdating sa Tsina (I also once again called on the current administration to review our national policy when it comes to China),” she said. 

“We should no longer accept acts like this going unpunished. If we allow China’s bullying to continue, it will cost the lives of our own people,” Hontiveros stressed.