The military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), along with the provincial government of Zambales, will initiate a consultative dialogue on Thursday with fishermen within the coastlines of the province and the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal. The dialogue comes after Chinese coast guards reportedly harassed Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal, taking their catch after boarding their boats in the disputed area. The Scarborough Shoal lies within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). But according to Nato, the Nolcom and the local government of Zambales would also want to hear the stories of the fishermen. The dialogue will be led by the Nolcom through the Area Task Force North of the National Task Force West Philippine Sea.

Source: Manila Times June 13, 2018 16:56 UTC