Fishermen in Palawan back lawmakers' demands to recall Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan after his statement implying China could easily use force against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea dispute.
Fisherfolk in Palawan have expressed their strong support for calls by Philippine lawmakers to request the recall of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan. This reaction follows the ambassador’s contentious statement suggesting that China could “easily win” in a conflict if it resorted to force against the Philippines. During a press conference organized by the Atin Ito Coalition, representatives from various fisherfolk groups denounced the ambassador’s remarks as unacceptable threats against the country.
Rafaela David, a co-convenor of the Atin Ito Coalition and president of the Akbayan Party, emphasized that such threats from a foreign nation’s representative should not be tolerated, and she endorsed the call to send Jing Quan back to China. The fisherfolk groups also criticized ongoing Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea that disrupt their livelihoods and jeopardize food security. They highlighted that every fishing trip interrupted by Chinese harassment results in lost income and diminished food for their families.
The coalition comprises leaders from several organizations including the Samahan ng mga Mangingisda kontra Korapsyon (SAMAKKO), Samahan ng mga Katutubo at Maliit na Mangingisda sa Dulong Timog Palawan (SAMBIL OG), the Kalayaan, Palawan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association, Tinig ng mga Katutubo (TIKA), and Samahang Pagkakaisa ng mga Katutubong Tagbanua sa Marufinas.
The calls to expel Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan have gained political traction, with Senator Risa Hontiveros filing a resolution urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to declare the ambassador persona non grata. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has formally summoned the ambassador to express the Philippines’ serious concern and objection to his comments. Meanwhile, Malacañang has indicated that it will defer to the DFA on the matter, noting that President Marcos does not favor declaring foreign envoys persona non grata.
The tension underscores the ongoing disputes over sovereignty and fishing rights in the West Philippine Sea, which critically affect the safety and economic welfare of local communities such as the fisherfolk in Palawan.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1007122/palawan-fishers-support-calls-to-request-recall-of-chinese-envoy/story/
