HAUNTED BY SHOAL

from JCI SUBIC LAMBAT THE LIGHTHOUSE VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1

THE LIFE OF A

as well as contribute to the nation's food security and economic development, due to the region's rich marine biodiversity and abundant fishpopulations.

In recent years, China's aggressive and illicit activities in the disputed waters, which include the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, a large coral reef off the coast of Zambales, have compromised their fishing rights and access to the West Philippine Sea. China has continued to dispatch its own vessels to harass, intimidate, and obstruct Filipino fishermen from entering their traditional fishing grounds, despite the 2016 Hague ruling that confirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights overthearea.

Domingo Dumaran, a 45-year-old resident of San Antonio, Zambales, is among those afflicted. Since the age of 15, he has fished in the Scarborough Shoal, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He was able to sustain his wife and four children by catching up to 300 kilogramsoffishper voyage.

Additionally, he shared his capture with his neighbors and friends, who would throwafestivityuponhisreturn.

In 2012, however, China seized control of the shoal and prohibited Filipino fishermen from entering. Dumaran stated that he was expelled by Chinese coast guard ships multiple times, sometimes under threat ofgunfire. He also witnessed the destruction ofcoralreefs and depletionof fishstocks by illicit Chinese fishing techniques, such as dynamite fishing and harvesting of gigantic clams.

"Ang sakit sa puso na makita ang pinagkukunan namin ng kabuhayan na sinisira ng mga dayuhan. Hindi lang kami ang nawalan ng hanapbuhay, pati ang kalikasan ay nasira nila," he said. (It is distressing to see our means of subsistence devastated by immigrants. They not only deprived us of our means of subsistence, but also harmedtheenvironment.)

Since then, Dumaran has been compelled to fish in locations like Masinloc BayandSubicBay.

However, he stated that the capture is not as plentiful and varied as it is in the ScarboroughShoal.

Additionally, he must vie with other fishermen displaced by China's actions. The decline in his income has made it more difficult for him to provide for his family.

"Napakahirap ng buhay namin ngayon. Hindi na sapat ang kinikita namin sa pangingisda para sa pagkain, edukasyon, at iba pang gastusin ng pamilya. Minsan nga wala kaming makain," he said. (Our lives are currently very difficult. Our fishing income is insufficient to cover sustenance, education, and other family expenses.

Occasionally, wehave nothingtoconsume.)

Despite these obstacles, Dumaran stated that he still expects to return to the Scarborough Shoal and resume fishing there one day. As long as he can assert his rights and sovereignty as a Filipino, he stated that he has no fear of China's threats and harassment.

"Ang Scarborough Shoal ay parte ng Pilipinas at karapatan namin ang makapangisda doon. Hindi kami susuko sa laban na ito. Umaasa kami na magkakaroon ng solusyon at hustisya ang gobyerno para saamin," hesaid. (TheScarboroughShoalis a part of the Philippines, and fishing is permitted there. We will not surrender in this battle. We hope the government will findasolutionandprovideuswithjustice.)

Dumaran also urged the forthcoming local election candidates to stand with them and defend their fishing rights in the West Philippine Sea. He stated that they require leaders who will protect their interests and welfare as well as defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation.

"Nananawagan kami sa mga kandidato na tumayo kasama namin at ipaglaban ang aming karapatan sa pangingisda sa West Philippine Sea. Kailangan namin ng mga lider na magtatanggol sa amin at sa bansa natin," he said. (We request that the candidates stand with us and defend our fishing rights in the West Philippine Sea. We require leaders who willprotectusandournation.)

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