The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is verifying claims by fishermen from Mariveles, Bataan, that they were harassed by the Chinese Coast Guard while fishing in the West Philippine Sea. A group of fishermen from Mariveles claimed that a Chinese Coast Guard speedboat circled them near Union Reef and fired warning shots to drive them away. According to the fisherman, they were pulling near Union Reef when a speedboat suddenly appeared and chased them away. They suspect that the Chinese Coast Guard is securing a marine construction site in the area.

Mabasa, R., & Wakefield, F. (2017, April 21). Bataan fishermen cry harassment in West PH Sea. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.