China to ban Filipino fisherfolks on WPS starting tomorrow
by Benedict Ballaran
Following China’s unilateral and baseless Coast Guard order to forcefully arrest Filipino ‘trespassers’ in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), including the nation’s territories within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), starting tomorrow until Sept. 16, Filipino fisherfolk bear the brunt of losing access on the waters where they source their livelihoods.
The rigid provision provides authority for the Chinese Coast Guard to detain foreign boats and nationals crossing their internationally condemned 10-dash line for 30 to 60 days without trial, placing Filipino fishermen who fish in these waters at risk of being incarcerated by Chinese officials.
In 2016, the international arbitral tribunal junked China’s expansive claim over the disputed waters, awarding the Philippines international legal jurisdiction over the waters. However, China sternly rejected the case and refused to abandon its position.
Although the Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest asserting that China’s ruling is a direct violation of its “sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the maritime zones,” China is all set to implement the ban tomorrow.
In opposition to the one-sided ban, Fisher groups and individuals asserted that they will continue to fish in the nation’s waters despite Chinese vessels shadowing the area.
Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), a local fisherfolk group, stated that over 627,000 fishermen have lost their livelihoods since the Chinese incursion. Significantly, the Philippines suffered around P1.5 trillion loss brought about by the damage of the conflict.
A day before the implementation of the said ban, Pamalakaya and other progressive groups staged a protest in front of the Chinese Consulate to condemn this provocative move from China. They condemned the United States’ continued militarization of the country stoking the flames of war against its nemesis China.
“Malinaw na ang China ang dapat nang lumayas sa WPS. Ang China ay pirata. Bukod dito, mag isa pang pirata [ang US] na nagpapanggap na kaibigan na ipagtatanggol tayo sa isa pang pirata,” Ronnel Arambulo of Pamalakaya emphasized.
“Inaagawan [ng China] ng kabuhayan ang ating mga kapwa mangingisda. Dahil dito, walang kapayapaan sa ating bansa. Ang Tsina ang numero unong nagpapabagsak, nagsisira ng mga karagatan dito sa WPS,”Arambulo added.
