Fishers slam lifting of exploration ban in WPS

A group of fishers lambasted President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent move to lift the exploration ban in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said on Sunday that pursuing the joint exploration with China “abandons” the 2016 ruling of an international tribunal in The Hague invalidating China’s claim on historical grounds over nearly all of the South China Sea.

“Legally allowing China to exploit our resources is tantamount to violation of our right to self-determination, and right to utilize national patrimony for national development,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya national chairperson, said in a statement.

Hicap, the former Anakpawis Party- list representative, added: “We remind the Duterte regime that China aggressively occupies 80 percent of our exclusive economic zone, robs our marine resources, and harasses our fishermen. How could you expect a country that has no regard for our sovereignty to respect this joint venture?”

He also said the exploration deal between Beijing and Manila runs contrary to the provision of the constitution on national patrimony.

Hicap cited a provision in the Constitution that states “the State shall promote the development and use of local scientific and technical resources” and “the State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

Last week, the Department of Energy (DoE) announced President Duterte approved its recommendation to lift the moratorium oil and gas exploration activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi had said the latest development was a “concrete step” towards achieving energy security, as well as curbing oil and electricity prices in the country.

This would also spur investments in the West Philippine Sea and create jobs and other opportunities, which could help the economy recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

In Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian expressed hope that both parties would “work together for new progress in the joint exploration.”

It can be recalled the government, under the administration of former president Benigno Aquino 3rd, imposed a moratorium on all exploration and drilling activities in the West Philippine Sea as early as 2014 amid the maritime dispute with Beijing.