DAVAO CITY – Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) condemned Chinese Military Force in the West Philippines for “bullying” Filipino fishermen in the contested Panatag Shoal.
Kalikasan national coordinator Clemente Bautista said the recent incident on the firing of water cannons towards Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal caused injuries “and perpetuated fear among our countrymen”.
Bautista said China’s military provocation is “conduct unbecoming”.
“They continue to bully and take advantage of the weak military and governance capacity of the Aquino government,” said Bautista.
Bautista said the Chinese military is violating the rights of Filipino and other Asian fishermen to seek livelihood and benefit from marine resources in the area.
“Denying them livelihood will result to loss of income and more hardships to their families,” she said.
The Chinese government claims authority over the shoal which is part of the Philippine territory based on the legally established jurisdiction of the Philippine government.
Bautista said the construction of military base and structures caused ecological devastation on the most preserved Spratlys group of islands.
The group said more than 120 million people, mostly Asians are dependent on marine resources for their source of food and livelihood.
