Fishermen remove Chinese-marked buoys off Zambales

ZAMBALES, Philippines – Fishermen here discovered 3 lengthy floating containment booms, or buoys, located in 3 different barangays about 6 miles from the disputed Bajo de Masinloc (Scrarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).  

Nine fishermen found the orange-colored floating booms in the sea off Zambales.

They towed the booms toward the shore and brought them to 3 barangays – Sitio Lanao, San Agustin, and Sto Rosario.

The fishermen said the booms’ markings appear to indicate ownership by China. 

They seem to have been placed there to set the boundary for fishermen in Zambales. These will eventually limit the areas where they can go for fishing and harvesting other marine resources, the primary sources of livelihood for these Zambales fisherfolk.

The Zambales fishermen found these buoys as China asserts de facto control over the West Philippine Sea.

In other parts of the disputed waters, China is building artificial islands that have fueled concern in the region. (READ: IN PHOTOS: China’s creeping expansion)

The Philippines, on the other hand, is pursuing a historic arbitration case that seeks a long-term solution to the sea dispute. (READ: IN PHOTOS: Philippines challenges China in The Hague) – Rappler.com