By Gabriela Baron
Six years after the historic victory of the Philippines in the Hague-based Permanent Court Arbitration (PCA), fisherfolks urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to “assert sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.”
In a statement, Amihan Women also called on Marcos Jr. to “stand with Filipino fisherfolks threatened by Chinese vessels and military personnel.”
Despite the country’s landmark victory, Amihan National Chairperson Zenaida Soriano alleged that China “continued to violate arbitral ruling” through land reclamation activities, building of military facilities and illegal poaching severely damaging reefs.”
“[The] harassment and intimidation from Chinese vessels and military forces not only the livelihood of Filipino fishers and workers but also the country’s fish production,” Soriano said.
According to PAMALAKAYA data, at least 600,000 fisherfolks and fisher workers are directly affected by Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
“Asserting our sovereign and fishing rights and taking control over our marine resources is significant in addressing the ongoing food crisis,” she added.
Historic milestone
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo meanwhile called the country’s win a “historic milestone.”
“More than a historic milestone whose value lies in its commemorative significance, we recall 12 July 2016 as the day that affirmed to the community of nations that the rule of law prevails, and that stability, peace and progress can only be attained when founded on a rules-based legal order on the oceans, as it should be everywhere else,” Manalo said in a statement.
“The Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea are the twin anchors of the Philippines’ policy and actions on the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
The Award, Manalo furthered, not only sets reason and rights in the South China Sea, but “an inspiration for how matters should be considered — through reason and right.”
He stressed that the Award upheld the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.
“These findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal, and are conclusive as they are indisputable. The Award is final. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history, and our collective memories.” – ag
