Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan filed a measure on Thursday seeking an inquiry into the condition of fisherfolk said to be affected by the “ecological destruction, intrusion and persistent harassment” by Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
In Senate Resolution 777, Pangilinan cited actions by China in the past few years following the Hague arbitral ruling which asserted the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone that Beijing contests.
The most recent report was of May 2021 data from fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) which stated that increased presence of Chinese vessels in Panatag Shoal resulted in fisherfolk’s income dropping from ₱1,000 to ₱300 per trip — a 70% decrease.
“The protection of the rights and the livelihood of our fisherfolk, especially subsistence fishers, and ensuring food security are urgent tasks,” said the resolution. “The government must stand up to China’s aggression, with the welfare of our people at the forefront of every policy and decision.”
President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly maintained that the only way to defend the country’s waters was through a bloody war with China, which he stressed the Philippines cannot win.
Protecting Philippine territory from the East Asian giant was among the campaign promises of Duterte during his presidential run in 2016, but earlier this year he admitted that the vow was a “pure campaign joke” and that the arbitral win against China was a mere scrap of paper that may be thrown into a waste basket.
