Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Filipino fishers approach during a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources resupply mission in Scarborough Shoal. Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

WEST PHILIPPINE SEA — More than a decade since the 2012 standoff, Filipino fishermen still decry Chinese presence at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough, Panatag Shoal).In a routine resupply mission of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on October 8, Filipino fishermen said they still get shooed away when they try to get close to their traditional fishing ground.&quot;Medyo mahigpit may nagbabantay na Coast Guard ng China po e, pinapalayo po kami, para di makapasok sa Bajo de Masinloc,&quot; said Romulo Ferrer, a fisherman.(The Chinese Coast Guard is very strict. They drive us away so we cannot get into the shoal.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/12/-we-will-never-leave-ph-coast-guard-walang-planong-umalis-sa-west-philippine-sea-0838">&#x27;We will never leave&#x27;: PH Coast Guard walang planong umalis sa West Philippine Sea</a></div>&quot;Malaki po ang epekto, mas masarap mangisda jan sa Bajo de Masinloc kesa diyan sa payao, kasi may season ang payao,&quot; he added.(This has affected us a lot since we love fishing there more than in our floating devices. Fish is seasonal in our payaos.)Fishermen said their catch has significantly decreased over the years as they weren&#x27;t able to fish at the shoal. Because of that, most of them have to stay at sea much longer to get enough catch for their needs.&quot;May nahuhuli naman kahit papano, kung minsan di maiiwasan, matumal, tiyaga lang. naka depende po, minsan matumal ang isda minsan aabot lang kami isang linggo lang mahigit,&quot; said Lindran Caballero, another fisherman.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/9/fewer-chinese-vessels-spotted-in-ayungin-but-risks-remain-navy-1347">Fewer Chinese vessels spotted in Ayungin, but risks remain – Navy</a></div>(We still catch some fish, but most of the time, it&#x27;s not enough. We stay here for a week.)On Wednesday, the BFAR conducted a resupply mission where they gave free petroleum and grocery supplies to several fishermen groups outside the Scarborough Shoal.At least six Chinese vessels were seen around the area, mostly from the Chinese Coast Guard. The vessels drifted nearby while the resupply mission was ongoing.&quot;Masabi natin mahirap, minsan yung kasama ko na bangka, pinapaalis sila. minsan di maiwasan ang takot, ang kaba,&quot; Caballero added.(It&#x27;s really hard here. Some of my companions were shooed away so we sometimes get anxious.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/12/ph-arbitration-win-vs-china-unassailable-part-of-international-law-dfa-chief-1042">PH arbitration win vs China &#x27;unassailable&#x27; part of international law: DFA chief</a></div>China took control of the Scarborough Shoal after a standoff in 2012 between their forces and the Philippine Navy.In 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled heavily in favor of the Philippines, declaring that the nine-dash line claim of China has no basis.

More than a decade since the 2012 standoff, Filipino fishermen still decry Chinese presence at the Bajo de Masinloc.

More than a decade since the 2012 standoff, Filipino fishermen still decry Chinese presence at the Bajo de Masinloc.

More than a decade since standoff, Pinoy fishermen still decry Chinese presence in Bajo de Masinloc

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More than a decade since standoff, Pinoy fishermen still decry Chinese presence in Bajo de Masinloc

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 09, 2025 12:20 AM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

BFAR

Resupply

China

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