Chinese Harassment of Philippine Fishermen in Disputed Sea Eases
- Authorities haven’t received fishermen complaints in weeks
- Chinese coast guard has used water cannons to drive off boats
This article is for subscribers only.
Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea have been plying their trade without being harassed by the Chinese coast guard for a month, officials said, in what could be an early sign of easing tensions under incoming President Rodrigo Duterte who is due to be sworn in on June 30.
Authorities haven’t received any complaints from local fishermen for weeks about the Chinese interfering with their catch near the disputed Scarborough Shoal , Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Asis Perez said by telephone on Tuesday. “That should be the norm, our fishermen shouldn’t be harassed and hosed by China because that area is ours,” he said.