CHINA is investigating its coast guards who last month took the catch of Filipino fishermen at the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines said on Tuesday.

Zhao Jianhua called the catch takers “bad apples” and if it was proven that they forcibly took the Filipinos’ catch, he would “throw [them] into the South China Sea and feed the fish.”

Last week, GMA News released a video footage that was supposedly taken on May 20.





Cameras on a fishing boat captured the Chinese asking for fish from the fishermen and then sailing away when they found out that the Filipinos had not caught any.

On Monday, Romel Cejuela, a fisherman from Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales, bared that the Chinese usually took their haul from the shoal worth about P4,000 in exchange for cigarettes, noodles and water.

“[If proven,] there will be discipline in accordance with our own regulations. I’m not sure about the details because it will be, the investigation is being conducted by competent agencies and they have their own corresponding regulations,” Ambassador Zhao Jianhua told reporters after President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech during the 120th celebration of Philippine Independence at the Museo ni Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite.

“Whether [this is] forceful taking or harassment, it’s really up to the investigation. I’m sure you have noted the Filipino side’s remarks about their investigation conducted with your fishermen involved. From the remarks, I can see that it’s primarily barter trade [between the fishermen and the coast guards] if you may call it,” Zhao said.

He added that the “friendly arrangement” between the Philippines and China to allow Filipino fishermen to fish in the rich fishing grounds will stand.

“First and foremost, the friendly arrangement to allow Filipino fishermen to fish in the waters around Huangyan or Scarborough is going to be there. It will not be changed. That means they can go back and fish there freely so we will check and if there is any misconduct conducted by the Chinese coast guards, those individuals will be punished and the rules will be there,” Zhao said.

“As a rule, we do not allow Chinese coast guards to do whatever, to do anything that is harmful to the Filipino fishermen,” he added.

Zhao said there’s a “mutual understanding” not to allow large boats of Filipino fishermen to sail to Panatag Shoal, adding that both countries agreed that only fishermen will be allowed to enter the shoal.

Cejuela said on Monday that their big ships, or their “mother” ships, are allowed only up to the entrance of the shoal as their smaller boats are the only ones allowed by the Chinese to enter the shoal.

Once they fill their smaller boats, they return to their mother ships and deposit all their catch.

Then, they go back to the shoal and fish again, Cejuela said.

“Up until now, we do not encourage commercial fishing, the large giant fishing vessels are there because we also have a responsibility for protecting the species of the fish and also the environment there,” Zhao said.

He said the friendly arrangement should be continued since the supposed catch-taking is an “isolated incident.”

“If anything happens, if the media report is somewhat true, let’s view it as an isolated incident. It should not reflect the whole picture of the bilateral relationship and should not reflect the whole arrangement with regard to the fishing in the waters around Huangyan or Scarborough,” Zhao said.

The United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration thrashed China’s “nine-dash claim” to the entire South China Sea in a ruling at The Hague on July 12, 2016.

The ruling declared that Filipino fishermen should enjoy fishing rights at the Panatag Shoal and that the Spratly Islands, as well as the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto Bank are all within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

But Duterte set aside the ruling.

Zhao also downplayed fears and concerns over the landing and refueling of a Chinese military aircraft last week in Davao City.

He said China’s aircraft followed Philippine protocols when it made a stop in Davao City.

“The landing is very simple, it’s for refueling,” Zhao added.

According to the ambassador, the plane was on its way to New Zealand for bilateral military exercises.

Malacañang on Sunday confirmed the landing of the Chinese military aircraft, saying the request for landing was “received, processed and cleared by relevant Philippine government agencies.”

with CATHERINE S. VALENTE