Zambales 1st district Rep. Jefferson "Jay" Khonghun (Facebook)

MASINLOC. Zambales--The national government together with the House of Representatives will do everything it can to protect fishermen from China’s threat of detention in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) come June 15. 

Zambales 1st district Rep. Jefferson "Jay" Khonghun assured fishermen here during a press conference Friday, May 25 that the government wasn't simply sitting on the issue. 

“Nakahanda ang ating pamahalaan na protektahan ang ating mga mangingisda. Lalung-lalo na po rito ang commitment po ng ating pamahalaan sa pangunguna po ng ating Speaker [Martin Romualdez] upang magdagdag ng mga kagamitan na pandagat upang maprotektahan ang ating mga mangingisda,” he said. 

(Our govenrment is ready to protect our fishermen. Foremost here is the commitment of our govenrment under Speaker Martin Romualdez to boost our nautical equipment and protect our fishermen.) 

“Kailangan natin ipagtanggol ang ating soberanya at ating teritoryo. Nakita naman natin yung deklarasyon ng ating Presidente na hindi siya papayag na any inch ng ating teritoryo ay mapunta sa mga banyaga. So wala tayong isusuko na kahit anong teritoryo sa Tsina,” added Khonghun. 

(We need to defend the sovereignty of our territory. We've witnessed the commitment of our President that he won't allow an inch of our territory to be taken by foreigners. So we're not surrendering any of our territory to China.) 

There is high tension and anxiety among the fishermen here amid reports that China Coast Guard (CCG) intends to arrest intruders in its so-called territory starting June 15. 

The CCG had already seized Scarborough Shoal as if it was their own. Known locally as Bajo de Masinloc and Kalboro--among other names--the feature is clearly part of the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

Part of the solution, Khonghun said, involves diplomatic protests that can be lodged against this illegal Chinese action of threatening to detain Filipino fishermen. 

Also, Khonghun said initiatives in the House of Representatives to fund additional vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy in next year’s national budget will strengthen the capabilities of the Philippines in protecting its fishermen. 

The Romualdez-led House will begin discussions on the proposed 2025 national budget around August this year.