A fisherman joins the protests staged on Monday (July 24) in time for the second state of the nation address of President Marcos. (Contributed)
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — At least 40 fishermen from Central Luzon joined other progressive groups in staging a protest as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24.
According to Bobby Roldan, Pamalakaya vice chair for Luzon, they would continuously demand that Marcos uphold the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“Nais namin na aktibong igiit ni Marcos ang pambansang soberanya sa China. I-expel ang nasa 50 Chinese vessels sa Ayungin Shoal, kabilang na yung monster ship (We want Marcos to actively assert national sovereignty against China and expelled 50 Chinese vessels from Ayungin Shoal, including the monster ship),” Roldan told the Inquirer.
Citing its air patrol conducted on June 30, the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it had spotted over 50 Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the WPS.
The fishermen also highlighted the issues of reclamation and dredging projects across the country when they held their protest in Quezon City.
“One year of the Marcos administration and this is the current state of the fisherfolk — enduring the threat of displacement and destruction of livelihood courtesy of corporate and foreign plunder,” said Roldan.
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