AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee (Rep. Lee's Facebook page)

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee says the government should provide assistance to Filipino fisherfolk affected by China's unilateral four-month fishing ban in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement on Sunday, June 2, Lee stressed that the country’s fisherfolk have the right and freedom to fish in the highly contentious waters.

"Karapatan natin na malayang makapangisda sa [WPS], lalo na sa mga tubig na nasa loob ng ating Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) dahil teritoryo natin ito. Atin ito" he said.

(It is our right to fish freely in the WPS, especially in the waters within our EEZ because it is our territory. This is ours.)

Lee, however, still expects China to be more aggressive in driving away fishermen in the WPS.

He cited the 2016 ruling by Permanent Court of Abitration (PCA), which pronounced that China had no legal basis for its supposed historic rights over the majority of South China Sea (SCS).

"Pero dahil matagal nang may pattern ng pambubully at harassment ang China sa ating mga mangingisda sa WPS, kailangang ihanda at siguruhin ang mabilis na paghahatid ng tulong at ayuda sa mga hindi makapangingisda dulot ng fishing ban," said Lee.

(But since China has a long a pattern of bullying and harassment of our fishermen in the WPS, it is necessary to prepare and ensure the rapid delivery of aid and assistance to those who cannot fish due to the fishing ban.)

“Hindi tayo dapat maging dayuhan sa sarili nating bayan (We should not be foreigners in our own country),” he underscored.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the fishing moratorium imposed by China started in May and will end on Sept, 16, 2024.

Lee said there must still be tangible actions to protect the livelihood of fisherfolk, even as the government protested the fishing ban.

"Kung agresibo ang Tsina, kailangang maging agresibo din tayo sa pagsuporta at pagprotekta sa karapatan ng ating mga mangingisda na makapaghanapbuhay nang ligtas at matiwasay," the Bicolano lawmaker noted.

(If China is aggressive, we must also be aggressive in supporting and protecting the right of our fishermen to work safely.)

“Habang tumatagal ang problemang ito, lalong nadedehado dito ang ating mga mangingisda na kaunti na nga lang ang kinikita, napagkakaitan pa lalo sa kabuhayan nila.

(The longer this problem persists, the more disadvantaged our fishermen, who already earn very little, and are even more deprived of their livelihood.)