The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday that the country will arrest illegal fishers who will venture into Philippine territorial waters and exclusive economic zone after the end of China’s fishing ban in the South China Sea.

Local fishermen are concerned that Chinese fishing fleets will enter Philippine waters and its exclusive economic zone with the end of China’s fishing ban, which also covers the West Philippine Sea.

“The Philippines is ready to take law enforcement measures on illegal fishing activities in its waters,” DFA spokesperson Ambassador Teresita Daza said on Friday in a TV report.

The Philippines did not recognize China’s fishing ban which has been the subject of its diplomatic protests.

“We will continue to register our formal opposition to it. It is an illegal exercise of state authority in so far as they cover the Philippines’ maritime zones,” Daza said.

According to a report on “24 Oras,” local officials in Kalayaan, Palawan said Chinese fishers didn’t honor the fishing ban.

“Based on what we’ve seen, it’s contradictory. Their boats have always been there to fish,” Kalayaan Municipal Councilor MP Albayda said.

Filipino fishermen from Kalayaan and mainland Palawan opt to avoid fishing in areas where Chinese vessels are sighted, the TV report added, quoting a local fisherman.

“Our fellow fishers here are afraid to go there. Instead of being able to fish where there is plenty to catch and within our territory, we’re being kept from doing so by another country,” said the fisherman.

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