Never treat fisherfolk affected by Balikatan as ‘collateral damage,’ group tells AFP

MANILA, Philippines — A fisherfolk group on Wednesday said that the disruption caused by the joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States (US) is not just a “small inconvenience” as it will affect the livelihood of local fisherfolk in Zambales.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is quoting Balikatan Exercise spokesperson Col. Michael Logico, who had previously said that the training simulation was “a small inconvenience that we are asking from our fishermen.”

READ: ‘Balikatan’ levels up for PH maritime defense

“Pinapaalalahanan namin ang Armed Forces of the Philippines at ang mismong tagapagsalita ng Balikatan na si Col. Michael Logico na huwag ituring bilang collateral damage ang mga mangingisdang maaapektuhan ng isinasagawang military exercises sa Zambales,” said Pamalakaya in a statement.

(We would like to remind the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Balikatan Spokesperson Col. Michael Logico not to treat the fisherfolk affected by the military exercises in Zambales as mere collateral damage.)

Pamalakaya disapproves of the Balikatan Exercises, reiterating that the possible threat to fisherfolks’ livelihood is not easily compensated.

“Hindi katumbas ng kung anumang benepisyo ng isinasagawang ehersisyong militar ang kagyat at kasalukuyang epekto ng isang araw na hindi pagpalaot sa mga mangingisda at kanilang umaasang pamilya,” said Pamalakaya Vice Chair for Luzon Bobby Roldan.

(The immediate impact of a day without fishing for the fishers and their families cannot be equated to whatever benefit may be gained from the military exercises.)

READ: Fishers fear livelihood loss due to ‘Balikatan’

The fisherfolk group went as far as to assert that the long-running exercises may even threaten national security due to tensions with China.

“Naninindigan rin kaming walang mabuting maidudulot sa pambansang seguridad ang Balikatan, bagkus ay magiging banta pa ito dahil sa katangian nitong mapang-udyok. Lehitimo ang pangamba ng maraming sektor at patriyotikong indibidwal na maipit ang Pilipinas sa girian ng mga makapangyarihang US at China,” said Roldan.

(We also maintain that the military exercises will not bring any good to national security but will instead pose a threat due to their provocative nature. The concerns of many sectors and patriotic individuals are legitimate that the Philippines might be caught in the crossfire of the power struggle between the US and China.)

Local fisherfolk in Zambales, where the Balikatan Exercises are taking place, have also expressed their fear over their livelihood being affected.

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