MANILA, Philippines — The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) yesterday slammed President Duterte for his statement allowing Chinese fishermen to continue fishing in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Bayan said Duterte’s statement allowing the Chinese fishermen in the Philippine EEZ because “we are friends” is a betrayal of national interest.
“Friendship has nothing to do with upholding our sovereign rights. Friendship also cannot be invoked to allow the repeated violation of our sovereign rights. The statement of the President shows that he has no intention of upholding the legal victory that we have gained in the international court,” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said.
“It is a defeatist position that uses an imagined scenario of war as its justification. We are again being told that any assertion of our sovereign rights will necessarily lead to war. That is a false assumption,” he said.
Bayan urged the people to commemorate the anniversary of the Philippine victory over China in The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration on July 12, 2016.
One of the highlights of the ruling was Recto (Reed) Bank forms part of Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf.
It was near Recto Bank where a Chinese vessel hit a Filipino fishing boat on June 9, leaving 22 Filipino fishermen floundering in the sea.
“This victory is an important historic milestone which should be celebrated every year, so that the Filipino people and the whole world will know what we have achieved. It is also a reminder to China that the people will not default in asserting our sovereign rights, whoever is occupying the highest position in the Philippine government,” Reyes said.
Critics have voiced anger over the Chinese trawler’s failure to rescue the 22 Filipino fishermen.
Duterte said it was a “little maritime accident” as he moved to soothe anger over the incident.
Opposition politicians as well as segments of the public and media said Duterte has bartered away Philippine sovereignty with little to show in return.
Duterte agreed with the Chinese offer to jointly investigate the incident, triggering more outcry and criticism.
Some lawmakers said the probe should be made by a third party country or an international body.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes suggested the United Nations should step in.
“A probe by an independent unbiased body of authority such as from the UN is the best way to find out the facts,” Bastes said.
Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos supports an independent investigation of the incident.
“In the service of truth as to what really happened and justice to the fishermen, a thorough, impartial and independent investigation must be done. And to assure its credibility and fairness let it be done with the international community,” he said. – With Evelyn Macairan