Roque: Philippines to protest Chinese taking of Filipinos' catch 'if established'

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will file a protest against the reported taking by Chinese coast guard of the catch of Filipino fishermen on Scarborough Shoal if the incident is "established," a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday.

In a report by GMA News, Chinese coast guard speedboat approached the boats of Filipino fishermen where its news team was also aboard.

The Chinese coast guard personnel could be seen asking for fish from Filipinos and went aboard their vessel and opened containers of their catch.

In the video released by the TV station, the Chinese were seen taking away the catch of fishermen from Scarborough.

A Filipino fisherman said that the Chinese would take whatever they wanted, usually the best ones.

When asked if the Philippines planned to protest these actions, presidential spokesman Harry Roque told Philstar.com in a text message, "If established."

Roque added that he had already asked GMA to authenticate the video and to provide him the statements of the fishermen.

This confirms what Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo) said last month during a congressional hearing that China was still harassing Filipino fishermen and was taking their best catch.

This development also runs counter to a statement by Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano during the same hearing that Filipino fishermen are now sailing freely.

Cayetano even bragged that it was a gain for the Duterte administration that Filipinos were now allowed to fish in the disputed waters.

Alejano countered that despite the supposed freedom their activities were limited.

"In fact, when they fish there, their catch are being inspected and the best fish are being taken away from them there. If you are a fisherman, your time is wasted, your effort is wasted," Alejano said.

Cayetano said that taking over the Scarborough Shoal was one of the red lines identified by the Philippines which when breached would possibly read to an armed conflict.

The shoal is a traditional fishing ground, and China, the Philippines or any other country had the right to access the area, a view supported by the ruling by a United Nations-backed tribunal.

READ: Duterte needs 'fuller briefing' on West Philippine Sea — Del Rosario