Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate called on the Duterte administration yesterday to send Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel to accompany and protect Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) or South China Sea. He said the government should take action against the Chinese coast guards for harassing and taking the catch of Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc. “We have to show China that we are serious in defending our people as well as our territory. Our officials should always assert our independence, instead of them acting as apologists for China, who apparently now treat the Philippines as her vassal state,” he said in a statement.

Luci-Atienza, C. M., Torregoza, H., Wakefield, F. T., Mabasa, R. C., & Antonio, R. F. (2018, June 11). 'PCG presence in WPS needed to protect Filipino fishermen'. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 10.