Masinloc fishermen (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

MASINLOC, Zambales--Ranking solons on Friday, May 24 vowed to assist the thousands of fisherfolk here to pursue fishing activities in Bajo de Masinloc in spite of China's continued bullying and harassment. 

They made the commitment during the joint hearing of the House Committee on National Defense and Security and the Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on the supposed gentleman's agreement between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the state of affairs in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

The hearing was jointly presided by Iloilo 5th Rep. Raul Tupas, national defense chairman; and Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. 

During the hearing, fishermen recounted their experiences when they were water-cannoned by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and driven away from Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, which the Chinese seized in 2012. 

Known as a rich fishing ground, Bajo de Masinloc is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

The House officials also expressed their concerns for the fishermen's safety. In particular, they are worried that the Chinese would carry out their threat to arrest foreigners in their supposed territorial waters starting June 15. 

Gonzales and his colleagues promised the fishermen that they would relay their concerns to Speaker Martin Romualdez and even to President Marcos Jr. 

“Sa utos po ni Speaker, nandito po kami kahit kami ay nasa-recess ngayon para pakinggan kayo. Huwag po kayong mag-alala, makakarating po kay Speaker ang mga hinaing at concern ninyo,” Gonzales said at the end of the hearing. 

(By the instruction of the Speaker, we're here despite our recession so we may hear your sentiments. Don't worry because we will relay all of them to the Speaker.) 

Camiguin lone district Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo suggested that fisherfolk families should have livelihood other than fishing. 

“You cannot depend on fishing alone, especially during the rainy season, when it is hard to go out to sea,” he said. 

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel told the fishermen that the so-called Duterte-Xi agreement made the Chinese more aggressive in bullying and harassing Filipinos in the WPS. 

Zamabales 2nd district Rep. Doris Maniquiz and Masinloc Mayor Arsenia Lim thanked the lawmakers for conducting the hearing in their province and listening to her constituents grievances.