Fisherfolk press for stronger Phl suit vs China

MANILA, Philippines - Fisherfolk group Pamalakaya on Tuesday called on President Benigno Aquino III to order the filing of appropriate charges against China before the United Nations over its refusal to leave Ayungin Reef and Panatag  Shoal, which  the Philippines claims as part of its exclusive economic zone.

Pamalakaya vice chairperson Salvador France said the diplomatic actions taken by Aquino administration are not enough to compel Beijing to stop its "bullying" in the West Philippine Sea.

France added that the hard stance of Beijing in the area has affected Filipino fishermen exercising their collective fishing rights in areas.

"We  [ask] the Aquino government to bring China before the UN and the court of international opinion for violating and denying the Filipino fishermen to exercise their sovereign and collective rights to fish and live," France noted.

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday asked China to withdraw its ships from Ayungin Reef because that area of South China is within the Philippines’ national territory, which is 196 kilometers from Palawan province and well within the 370-kilometer EEZ.

"The Philippine government should go beyond the confinement of protest. The next step is to file formal charges before the UN or any international court that would stop this arrogance of Beijing," France said.

Last May 10, the Philippine government protested the presence of  30 Chinese fishing boats, accompanied by patrol vessels, at Ayungin, but China insisted that it had "indisputable sovereignty" over Ayungin and other parts of the Spratly archipelago in the middle of the West Philippine Sea.