Manila, Philippines — Three petitions urging the United Nations (U.N.) to act on the continuous Chinese usurpation in the West Philippine Sea were officially filed by the progressive fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) last Friday.
The petitions were calling on the UN to declare the controversial China Coast Guard Law null and void, calling for demilitarization of the South China Sea, and look into the impacts of Chinese incursion to the livelihood of Filipino fishers and the domestic food security.
“With the increasing aggression and militarization of China in the West Philippine Sea through the passing of Coast Guard Law, we humbly appeal for your intervention by openly denouncing and declaring the law null and void,” stated in one of the petitions’ letterhead addressed to U.N. Secretary General António Guterres.
PAMALAKAYA slammed China for its relentless disregard of the international tribunal that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claim over almost the entire South China Sea, which includes 80% of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf.
“Our petitions complement the very principles of the arbitral ruling against China. These include the immediate pullout of Chinese personnel in our territorial waters, respect the rights of our fishers, and demilitarize our traditional fishing grounds,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.
“Moreover, our appeal is in the framework of upholding the basic rights to food and livelihood of our fisherfolk, who are the direct victims, and for the peaceful, diplomatic and non-military resolution to the Chinese aggression and plunder,” Hicap, former Anakpawis Party-list solon added.
PAMALAKAYA said that they took the track of diplomatic measure due to lack of concrete and decisive actions from the Duterte government.
“The Filipino fishers are tired of Mr. Duterte compromising our sovereignty in the name of foreign loans and now, vaccines,” added Hicap.
The fishers’ group said they were awaiting for received copy of the petitions to take it at the Chinese Consulate alongside with a protest. ###
