Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) aired its opposition against China’s “partnership proposal with local fishing villages,” saying that “nothing beneficial” for Filipino fishers could come out of this agreement.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Jan. 14, Pamalakaya National Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo stressed that agreements with China, may it be a joint gas exploration or the proposed partnership with local fishing villages, could “further its presence in the Philippines.”
“Any agreement with China won’t be accepted by Filipino fishers who are direct victims of its aggression in the West Philippine Sea. ow can we enter into an agreement with a country that blatantly violates our fishing rights and our national sovereignty?,” said Arambulo.
Earlier on Friday, Jan. 13, former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos, in a Laging Handa public briefing, said the administration is “looking into” China’s proposed partnership with local fishing villages, adding that there are other levels of cooperation not known to the public that are happening – for an instance, between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard.