APD | Philippines Defense Secretary Lorenzana orders armed forces to check Pag-asa Island situation

By APD writer Melo M. Acuna

MANILA, Mar.6 (APD) -- Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said he directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to validate the report from Kalayaan (town) Mayor Roberto del Mundo on the alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen in the sandbar near Pag-asa Island.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Department of National Defense said they received a report from the AFP Western Command (WESCOM) that there has been no substantiated information from their units confirming Mayor del Mundo’s claims.  

The Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Naval Forces West under WESCOM will continuously look into the information and update the Department of National Defense on any information to support the municipal mayor’s claims.

The Department of National Defense said the area referred to by Mayor del Mundo is “a traditional fishing ground” for the Philippines and other countries including China and Vietnam.

Quoting reports from WESCOM, they have encouraged fishermen from Pag-asa to continue their normal activities since it has been observed they have not been fishing in the area near the sandbar, even before the Chinese fishing vessels were seen in the area.

A sheltered port in Pag-asa is under construction to help Filipino fishermen, the Department of National Defense said in their statement. 

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)