Compromise between Philippines, China won't solve fishers' woes — group

Philippine fishermen, who say they face harassment from Chinese vessels preventing them from entering prime fishing waters in the South China Sea's Scarborough Shoal which is claimed by both countries, demonstrate at a park in Manila on November 24, 2022.

AFP / Ted Aljibe

MANILA, Philippines — For Filipino fishers whose livelihoods have been affected by years of territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, a compromise between Manila and Beijing will not relieve their misery. 

Fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA stressed this Thursday after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to “find a compromise and a solution” that would allow Filipino fishers to have access to their traditional fishing grounds. Filipino fishermen face harassment from Chinese vessels, preventing them from entering prime fishing waters.

Instead of finding a compromise, China must recognize the 2016 landmark arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims over a large part of the South China Sea, PAMALAKAYA said.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/05/2235541/compromise-between-philippines-china-wont-solve-fishers-woes-group