National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. urged on Wednesday, April 21, Filipino fishermen to go out and fish in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as he assured that military, coast guard, and fisheries assets are deployed in the area to protect them from any foreign harassments. Esperon, chairman of the National Task Force (NTF) for WPS, issued the call as reports reached him that fisherfolk in Bataan were prevented from casting their nets in Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal/Bajo de Masinloc). Scarborough Shoal is adjacent to the Luzon Sea and Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) which are all part of the WPS.

Sadongdong, M. A. (2021, April 22). Esperon tells Filipino fishermen: Go out and fish in West PH Sea. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.