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The group views the harassment as part of a broader pattern of suppression targeting coastal resistance to reclamation across Manila Bay.
“China is condemnable over violation of a specific maritime law by disrespecting our exclusive economic zone. But our patriotic efforts should extend against the U.S. which has a long history of military interventions and war of aggression waged against us and other countries."
PAMALAKAYA cited the proposed 50-meter no-sail zone around each wind turbine as a major concern, warning that it would severely restrict access to traditional fishing areas.
The daily income of small-scale fishers in Aparri and other coastal towns in Cagayan has drastically dropped—from an average of P7,000 (119 USD) to just P900 (15.3 USD).
Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) held a protest in front of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Monday, Feb. 25, to demand significant reforms on the law governing fisheries amid the legal battle over the municipal waters.
There is already a strong basis to stop the reclamation in Manila Bay but the DENR continues to turn a blind eye.
Fisheries groups are opposing the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate within 15 kilometers of municipal waters.
Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo is the fifth candidate to declare candidacy under the Makabayan Coalition.
Aside from the impact of reclamation, groups also decried the damages the recent oil spill inflicted on the environment and the lives of the coastal communities, saying that both Marcos Jr. and tycoon Ramon Ang should be held accountable.
The project, a flagship initiative involving Singapore-based companies Blue Leaf and Sun Asia, aims to utilize 2,000 hectares of Laguna de Bay.
The livelihoods of fisherfolk in Zambales have been largely affected by the rising tension in the West Philippine Sea and the lower catch due to recurring seasonal loss called "sigwada." But instead of due assistance, they are subjected to so-called "visits" and interrogation by soldiers.
Pamalakaya said their leader, Romy Antazo, 80 years old, has been repeatedly approached by suspected state agents and was offered livelihood support in exchange for his supposed “cooperation.”
“Affected fisherfolk and other residents ‘highly believe’ that the dismantling order is part of the 650-hectare reclamation project in the area.”
"Fishers also bear the brunt of the El Niño phenomenon. During drought, fish usually swim deeper than usual to seek cooler temperatures, making fishing more difficult and costly as we have to spend extra time and fuel."
The role of the fisherfolk is important in assuring food security in the country, and so Ronnel Arambulo of Pamalakaya said that the needs of the fishermen must be given priority.
"Clearly the Marcos Jr. administration is failing to uphold the 2008-Supreme Court mandamus seeking various government agencies to clean-up, restore, and rehabilitate Manila Bay in the context of recreational use and fishery resources development."
“Officials from the PRA should be educated that it's the mangrove trees, not the destructive reclamation, that shield coastal communities from intense flooding."
“We denounce the PNP-La Union and the state institutions behind this sham surrender scheme for taking advantage of our distressed fisherfolk to carry out their worn-out tactics of coercion and deception for anti-insurgency drive."
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the group said that in the second quarter of 2022, Palawan and Oriental Mindoro contributed 86.79 percent and 2.57 percent to the total regional fisheries production, respectively. This translates to 59,895.53 metric tons in the local fisheries production.
“What more if the one provision of our constitution that protects our sovereignty is entirely repealed? This will normalize interactions between foreign vessels conducting extensive fishing trips in our territorial seas and Filipino fishing communities.”
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