BFAR accuses Chinese, Vietnamese fishermen of cyanide use in Bajo de Masinloc

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has accused Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen of using cyanide to damage fishing grounds in Bajo de Masinloc.

Filipino fishermen reported the alleged cyanide use, which BFAR chief information officer Nazario Briguera suggested could be the reason for the small fish observed in the area.

Briguera stated that such destructive practices, if verified, constitute illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) has directed BFAR to submit all evidence regarding the alleged cyanide poisoning to establish the facts.

Once confirmed, the NTF-WPS will refer the matter to the Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice to determine if there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.

The BFAR and the Philippine Coast Guard are awaiting the Department of Justice's decision on whether to file a complaint against China.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año announced that a regular rotational deployment of Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR ships in Bajo de Masinloc will commence this month to ensure the safety of Filipino fisherfolk.