A China Coast Guard (CCG) ships blocks a civilian resupply mission to Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA – Filipino fisherfolk continued to sail to the Bajo de Masinloc, also called Panatag and Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, the start of Beijing’s implementation of a regulation that authorizes the China Coast Guard (CCG) to detain supposed trespassers in what it considers maritime borders.

A group of fishermen left Masinloc town in Zambales province on Friday and Saturday for days of expedition in the tense waters amid reports of increased presence of CCG vessels and arrest threats.

“Awa ng Diyos po, kagabi, merong maraming pumalaot kagabi at kahapon, marami pong nagpanga-araw. Sa ngayon, marami na naman pong pumalaot na nagpang-araw at nangangawil sila sa mga lugar ng mga payao diyan sa West Philippine Sea,” New Masinloc Fishermen Association President Leonardo Cuaresma told ABS-CBN News in a telephone interview. 

AFP 'undeterred' as China’s anti-trespassing rule takes effect on June 15 

 He said the fishermen were advised to sail in groups and avoid confrontations with CCG personnel. 

“Kapag alam natin na nilalapitan na tayo, wala na tayong ibang gagawin kundi lumayo na lang para makaiwas tayo sa anomang insidenteng mangyayari – iyan na lang po ang aming babala sa aming mga kasama,” Cuaresma said. 

Under Beijing’s new regulation, foreigners accused of illegally entering “Chinese waters” can be detained for up to 60 days without trial.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including waters that lie within the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines and four other Southeast Asian countries.

Filipino fishermen unfazed by China’s fishing ban, arrest threat 

China also imposes an annual fishing ban on South China Sea waters for supposed ecological conservation and the Philippines routinely opposes it. This year’s ban, which started on May 1, is expected to last until September 16.

Just recently, Cuaresma said fishermen were shooed away by “armed” CCG personnel.

“May dala-dala silang mahahabang armas. Sa pagkakakilanlan po ng ating mga kasama ay isang uri ng baril talaga ‘yong kanilang dala-dala. Hindi naman batuta,” he said.

The fishermen went home without anything, Cuaresma added.

China OKs coast guard power to detain 'trespassers' without trial: report 

The CCG, according to Cuaresma, has been destroying fish aggregating devices (payao), a Filipino traditional floating rafts of bamboo anchored to the seafloor to attract pelagic fish. 

“Marami na po silang mga sinagasaan at naputol-putol na po ‘yong ilan. At ang report po sa atin, hindi lamang po sa sampu ‘yong mga naputol na payao malapit po sa Bajo de Masinloc na sinasagasaan po ng kanilang mga barko,” he said.