UNCLOS FAVORABLE RULING ON WPS

INFANTA—While families of fishermen who fish in Scarborough Shoal hailed the landmark decision of the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea) Permanent Court of Arbitration that ruled in favor of the Philippines, there is doubt in their minds that they are finally free to fish again without being bullied out of the area.

“We hope this is for real,” said Wilma Baoyan, wife of fisherman Gilbert Baoyan.

“But is it already sure that the Scarborough Shoal (on the West Philippine Sea) really belongs to us? I hope they (Chinese) will no longer disturb us because our fishermen are only trying to earn a living,” Wilma said in Filipino.

In an interview with The PUNCH Wednesday, she said other fishermen and their families in Barangay Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan welcomed the happy news but with guarded thoughts.

“I hope this ruling is really for real,” she kept saying.

She said her husband had experienced being shooed away with water cannon by Chinese Coast Guard along the Scarborough Shoal. Their boat was even nudged by the ship.

Gilbert went to fish in Subic when The PUNCH tried to reach him for an interview.

Celine Francisco of Barangay Lipay, Sta. Cruz, Zambales, told The PUNCH in a separate interview that they breathed a big sigh of relief on learning the news of the favorable ruling.

Francisco’s father and brother, Oscar Tabat Sr and Oscar Tabat Jr, are among those who fished in Scarborough Shoal regularly. They, too, were not around for the interview.

The Tabats had also experienced harassment in the hands of the Chinese Coast Guard.

Francisco said that while the ruling is out, they still feel unsure how the Chinese coast will respond to new attempts of their menfolk to fish again at the Scarborough Shoal.

“Yes we won (the case) but what if they (Chinese) remain in that place?,” she said in Filipino.

Fishermen in their area converged Tuesday night as soon as they learned of the good news, she said.

“Some of them were clapping their hands but there was still a feeling of uncertainty in the air,” she added.

“They might become more aggressive and would not accept the decision,” she said. “What if?” they asked themselves.

She said they are praying that the next news they will get is about the Chinese ships finally leaving Scarborough Shoal. (Tita Roces)

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