Fishers’s group urges government to drive away “Chinese militia vessels” in West Philippine Sea
Manila, Philippines — “Monitoring like sitting ducks will not drive away the Chinese vessels in our waters. The government must do decisive action to confront and expel these vessels which signify all but display of military might,” according to the progressive fisher’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Sunday, sounding alarm over the presence of at least 220 Chinese maritime militia vessels moored at the Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said the presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea is a “blatant show of force, bordering to military aggression”.
“This is frighteningly alarming that needs unhesitating response and action from the government,” Hicap, former Anakpawis Party-list added.
The fishers’ group said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) could have “responded appropriately” upon seeing the presence of the Chinese vessels.
“The least our coast guard could do was to enforce their basic rules of engagement like signaling a warning against intruding foreign vessels in our sovereignty. But they seemingly brushed aside this urgent matter by acting like a bystander,” Hicap added.
“The Chinese vessels should set sail away from our territorial waters immediately. They have no business here as they violate our sovereign rights and cause environmental destruction of our marine resources,” ended Hicap. ###
