In time of the 4th anniversary of the arbitral tribunal ruling favoring Philippines’ claim over disputed West Philippine Sea, fishers group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) protested China’s escalated territorial aggression.
“Our fishers are devastated as it is; with 14 fishing crew remain missing after a recent maritime collision. Thus we demand justice for the Liberty Cinco 14 and the Filipino fishers who are victims of Chinese aggression,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said.
In June 12, 2016, the International Permanent Court of Arbitration came tremendously in favor of the case forwarded by the Philippines against the claim and actions of the Peoples Republic of China with respect to the South China Sea.
It invalidated China’s 9-dash line assumption over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf.
The international tribunal also found China in violation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), specifically with respect to the Philippines’ sovereign rights by interfering with fishing operations, constructing artificial islands, among others.
“China never ceased from its reclamation and intervention activities in our territorial waters. It blatantly disregards the international arbitration and disrespects the rights of Filipino fishers in our own fishing grounds.”
“We likewise denounce the Duterte government for its utter neglect to uphold our territorial and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, compromising the rights of our fishers in their traditional fishing grounds.” ended Hicap. ###
Pamalakaya National Chairperson Ka Pando Hicap with fisherfolk of BASECO community in Manila. 
