Zambales fisherfolk to local bets: Assert national sovereignty, fishing rights

Fishermen from Subic, Zambales prepare their boats for another fishing trip to Scarborough Shoal moments after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016 favored the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China. (ALLAN MACATUNO /  file photo)

SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES – Fisherfolk in this province challenged local candidates to “stand with them” and uphold their fishing rights amid the country’s ongoing territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea which includes the rich fishing ground of Scarborough or Panatag Shoal.

Bobby Roldan, a fisherman from Masinloc, said they would support local candidates who would assert the country’s territorial and sovereign rights over the contested shoal and several other islands.

“A big challenge to the local candidates in the province is their position against China’s plunder and occupation of the Scarborough Shoal, which for decades served as our fishing ground,” said Roldan, who is also the vice-chairman of the militant fisherfolk group Pamalakaya in Luzon.

Roldan said local candidates should “present categorical platforms” in support of the Filipino fishers who are adversely affected by Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

The shoal is situated 124 nautical miles (220 kilometers) from Masinloc, Zambales.

“This is the most opportune period for our sector to challenge local and national candidates to stand in favor of our collective aspiration to wrest back control of our territorial seas,” Roldan said.

He called on fellow fishermen, operators of commercial fishing vessels, and coastal settlers across the country to support “patriotic and progressive” candidates who would oppose China’s military presence and economic power in the country.

“We will unite with the one who will decisively assert our territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea by any legal, peaceful, and diplomatic means,” Roldan added.

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