Fishers opposed the renegotiation of joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea with China “regardless of the sharing agreement.”
Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) maintained their stand and opposed the joint energy exploration with China, warning President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos about the risks that this agreement could bring.
To further prove their opposition, Pamalakaya recalled how China “never abided” by the international ruling against its claim in the Philippine territorial waters.
“othing favorable for the country could come out from this shady joint venture with China. It will only institutionalize and further the Chinese plunder of our marine and energy resources in the West Philippine Sea,” said Pamalakaya National Chairperson Fernando Hicap in a press statement on Friday, Sept. 2.
The fishers urged the Marcos administration to press for “peaceful and diplomatic negotiations” with China.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin, in a press statement, said China is now “ready to work” in concert with the new Philippine government to advance negotiations on joint development that will “benefit both countries and people.”