PAMALAKAYA backs freedom of navigation in South China Sea, urges all countries to exercise navigational rights
Manila, Philippines — The national fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) has been calling on every country to exercise freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and challenge China’s “imperialist claim and aggression” over the region.
“We are calling on every country, claimants and non-claimants, to exercise freedom of navigation in the South China Sea to challenge China’s illegal claims in the international waters,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA Chairperson said in a statement.
The fishers group’s statement was issued after a US Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer sailed near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
“Every country has the right to sail and conduct their respective businesses in the South China Sea sans China’s consent. Exercising right of passage in accordance with international law will assert that no country, not especially China, can solely claim the established international waters,” added Hicap.
It is estimated that more than $5 trillion-worth of global ship trade from different countries passes each year in the South China Sea. ###
