MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will file charges against Chinese fishermen if the government finds legal basis on their alleged use of cyanide to damage Bajo de Masinloc or the Scarborough Shoal.

“If we feel that there is an enough ground to do so, we will,” President Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of the 16th Ani ng Dangal 2024 on Tuesday in Manila City when asked if he intends to file charges against Chinese fishermen.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported over the weekend said they have received reports that Chinese fishermen are using cyanide to “intentionally destroy Bajo de Masinloc to prevent Filipino fishing boats to fish in the area.”

President Marcos said that he knew about the alleged cyanide fishing of the Chinese fishermen based on reports from BFAR, but he emphasized that the incident in Bajo de Masinloc is “more alarming” as it has been a prevalent practice in Philippine waters.

“I do know that there are cases of cyanide fishing before even here in the Philippines, but I think the reason that it has been more alarming is that it has become more prevalent kaya ‘yun ang inaalala natin,” President Marcos said.

As the case develops, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) has ordered the BFAR to gather pieces of evidence to support their claims on the alleged cyanide fishing by the Chinese fishermen in the Bajo de Masinloc. (PND)