Phl military vessels shouldn't accompany fishers in WPS - Villar

The country's military vessels should not accompany fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to prevent possible attack from Chinese ships, Sen. Cynthia Villar said yesterday.

- BELLA CARIASO

"Ever since I have long been the chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture and food - it was the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that provided assistance to the fishermen. It should be the BFAR so that it will not be militarized," Villar said in her speech during the launch of the Livelihood Activities to Enhance Fisheries Yields and Economic Gains from the West Philippines Sea (LAYAG-WPS) here.

She added that Congress regularly provides a budget for BFAR for the acquisition of vessels that can be used to assist the fishermen.

"(The BFAR) is given ships to watch (over) fishermen and to make sure that they are safe. If it's BFAR, it's not too obvious," Villar said.

"The ships of BFAR should be present while fishermen are fishing in the WPS," she added.

The presence of military vessels in areas where the fishers operate could agitate Chinese vessels, according to the senator.

She noted that based on government data, fish production in the West Philippine Sea represents 15 percent of the country's total output.

"The BFAR cannot afford to neglect the fishermen in WPS as 15 percent is essential in the country's fisheries production," she said.

She added that the fisherfolk have no choice but to still operate in the WPS despite the threats, as it is their only source of livelihood.