Duterte to ban fishing in disputed lagoon

Move could break diplomatic deadlock

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will issue an executive order declaring part of the disputed Huangyan Island a marine sanctuary off- limits to all fishermen, a move his office said was supported by China’s President Xi Jinping.

Duterte will make a unilateral declaration barring fishermen from exploiting marine life at a tranquil lagoon that was central to years of bitter squabbling.

The establishment of a protected marine zone, if successful, could provide both countries a way to break the diplomatic deadlock without making formal concessions or political agreement.

Under the plan announced by the president’s office on Monday, fishermen of both countries can cast nets on the fringes of the lagoon, but not inside it, allowing fish stocks to be replenished.

The move is the latest gesture toward China in what has been an astonishing reversal of Philippine foreign policy under Duterte, who opted to befriend Beijing while admonishing longtime ally the US for what he calls hypocrisy and bullying.

The about- face came soon after an arbitral tribunal in The Hague announced its award over the South China Sea disputes. China has refused to recognize the case.

The tribunal award said no one country had sovereign rights to the Huangyan Island, thus all claimants were legally entitled to exploit its fish stocks.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Chinese leader Xi, whom Duterte met at the weekend during a summit in Peru, voiced support for the plan.

He said Xi wanted to create a “favorable environment” at the Island.

China has softened its stance since Duterte returned from a high- profile trip to Beijing in October. Filipino fishermen who went close to the Island said China’s coastguard was not repelling them.

Staunch environmentalist and former president Fidel Ramos, who in August broke the ice with Beijing as Duterte’s special envoy, said a marine sanctuary was the right move and was “the highest form of aquaculture preservation.”

Philippine security expert Rommel Banlaoi said the plan was to promote sustainable fishing rather than give China a graceful way out.