BAGUIO CITY – The Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Phlippines lambasted politicians exploiting sensitive national issues such as the presence of China’s dredging ships and Chinese harassments of Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal.
NOLCOM issued their statement following the release of a campaign video of political candidate Neri Colmenares featuring Filipino fishermen narrating how they were supposedly harassed by Chinese authorities in the fishing ground of Scarborough Shoal which is under the area of responsibility of NOLCOM.
Lt. General Emmanuel Salamat, NOLCOM commander said that they have coordinated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and was informed that there were no reports of Filipino fishermen being subjected to attacks of Chinese water cannons.
He also said that there were no sightings of dredging ships of Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
He claimed that they have regular Navy and Coast Guard Maritime patrols in the northern maritime borders covered by their area of responsibility to ensure freedom of navigation in the Sea Lines of Communication.
Salamat insisted that politicians should not exploit sensitive national issues if they are not backed by a solid foundation and proper confirmation just to suit their own benefit.
He warned that such action could cause undue alarm to the public and may affect the credibility of the Philippines as a nation once allegation is proven false.
NOLCOM assures the Filipino people that it will remain committed to doing its mandate of protecting the people and securing the sovereign territory within its area of responsibility that includes the country’s vast Northern Maritime areas.
