Fishermen say foreigners get away with damaging activities in West PH Sea

CNN Philippines

The military is also planning to tap marine biologists to look into the extent of the coral damage. But for Zambales fishermen, stories of these destructive activities are nothing new.   Tristan Nodalo reports.   Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

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00:00 The Armed Forces of the Philippines asked to increase the frequency of patrols in the West Philippine Sea

00:06 after discovering cases of massive coral harvesting.

00:09 "We cannot just return these coral reefs. It is not in our lifetime."

00:17 While the latest observation was in Rozul or Iroquois Reef,

00:20 fishermen in Masinlog, Zambales say this illegal practice is nothing new.

00:25 "They destroy the coral reefs and they catch giant clams.

00:30 And because of this, the fisheries are destroyed."

00:36 58-year-old Leonardo Quaresma laments that while Filipino fishermen try their best

00:41 to protect their fishing ground for years,

00:43 foreigners can easily get away with their damaging activities.

00:47 "But these Chinese coast guards have no sense of justice.

00:51 They don't care about destroying our fisheries.

00:59 And they are the ones who are in charge of the area."

01:02 Despite the fear of possible encounters with foreign vessels,

01:05 Efren Farones is readying for another trip to Scarborough Shoal.

01:09 Efren says more fishermen are now discouraged to go to Scarborough Shoal

01:13 due to the cost of the trip and lesser catch.

01:16 "We can't go inside Scarborough Shoal.

01:21 There are people who are guarding the area.

01:23 We are just here outside the area.

01:25 Apart from ensuring their safety,

01:27 Filipino fishermen here in Masinlog also appeal to the government

01:30 to provide them enough assets and resources

01:33 so that they will have equal opportunity in exploring the richness of Scarborough Shoal.

01:38 In Masinlog, Zambales, Tristan Odalo, CNN Philippines.

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