Fleet of Philippine fishing boats sailing to Panatag

MANILA, Philippines - A fleet of fishing boats are sailing to Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) Friday to reinforce the country’s territorial claim over the rich fishing ground, 124 nautical miles from Zambales province, which is being claimed by China as part of its maritime domain.

Leading the Panatag fishing expedition is former Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon and former Annapolis cadet Manny Albuera.

Fishermen from Faeldon's home province, Batanes, and Masinloc town, which is part of Zambales province, are slated to fish in Panatag Shoal, which China has included in its declared fishing holiday.

For more than a month now, Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) is the scene of a tense territorial standoff between the Philippines and China.

Given a chance, the group intends to once again raise the Philippine flag in one of the rocks in the area, said Kit Guerrero speaking on behalf of Faeldon and one of the planners of the fishing trip.

“We are already here in Masinloc. So far we don't see any glitches that would stall the voyage,” Guerrero said, when reached by phone on Thursday afternoon.

The fishermen intend to assert the Philippines' sovereignty over the disputed shoal and to insist their right to fish in the country’s territorial waters.

Aside from the three fishing boats, local fishermen also aboard their own fishing boats, are also expected to join the trip along with national and local mediamen.

Masinloc municipal secretary, Rjay Bautista, said they intend to send a representative to the voyage.

“We fully support this move. Panatag Shoal is ours,” Bautista speaking on behalf of Masinloc town Mayor Desiree Edora said.