Last June 9, 22 Filipino fishermen nearly died at sea were it not for the kindness of a passing Vietnamese fishing vessel. The F/B Gem-Vir 1 of the Philippines sank due to the impact of a Chinese ship, with the latter reportedly fleeing the scene without helping the fishermen. The incident was declared as a “hit-and-run” on June 12. On June 14, the captain of the F/B Gem-Vir 1, along with the other fishermen, also claimed that the Chinese vessel intended the collision. However, the Chinese Embassy denied the accusation and insisted that the incident was an accident. On June 17, President Rodrigo Duterte affirmed the Chinese Embassy’s statement.
In support of the President’s statements, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo added that the incident was “allowed under international laws,” and that China had a “historical right” to fish in the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also agreed, saying that the Philippines’ area of exclusivity is difficult to track as “the fish could be coming from China and the fish from the Philippines could be going to China.” He explained further, claiming that there is no issue since the Philippines is also allowed to fish in China’s territory as “they will treat us as friends likewise.”
Whether or not it was an accident, the Filipino fishermen should not have been left to die at sea. Whether or not it was an accident, the President should have immediately attended to his constituents through government entities. Whether or not it was an accident, the fishermen should not have been treated as if they were attention-seeking liars and their well-being should have been prioritized.
Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio stated that allowing China to fish in West Philippine Sea is against our 1987 Constitution. “The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens,” he declared, quoting Section 2, Article 12 of the Philippine Constitution. Recto Bank, formally called Reed Bank, is a large table mount in the West Philippine Sea northeast of Dangerous Ground and northeast of the Spratly Islands. The Hague tribunal’s ruling on Philippines v. China stated that the Recto Bank is within the Philippines EEZ, which means that the country has exclusive rights to fish in that area.
It becomes an insult for a “free” and “independent” country when its standard bearer does not prioritize the safety of his people. Through his actions, the president has shown us that the sovereignty of our country and our safety as Filipinos are not his priorities. If the President himself does not stand his ground to defend his constituents, then what does it even mean to be Filipino? Who is left to defend us being Filipinos?
A few days after the incident, a photo of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol circulated online where he was seen talking to the boat’s cook, Richard Blaza. After that meeting, the fishermen’s narrative changed. They suddenly expressed doubt over their own account of the incident, and many concerned citizens took to social media to voice their concerns. This incident brought more attention to other maritime issues and disputes around the country as fishermen from different regions in the country found this as an opportunity to speak up and let their concerns be heard.
Moreover, while the fishermen in the Reed Bank incident have been at the center of the government and the people’s attention, 100 upset fishermen in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro continue to wait for the help they were promised a year ago. When the boats of the fishermen were damaged and carried away by flash floods, they were promised materials to construct new boats. But instead they were left waiting with no response. The message is clear: the government not only fails at protecting the rights of its constituents but only tries to “fulfill” its duties when all eyes are on them and when the public is demanding appropriate action. Filipinos deserve better governance, one that is accountable for its actions and reliable for when its constituents need them.
An administration’s apathy toward the interests of its people is detrimental to the welfare of any state. When Hong Kong was in the middle of passing a controversial extradition bill, more than a million Hong Kong citizens took to the streets in protest. Days later, the Hong Kong government moved to suspend the bill indefinitely. Meanwhile, when Filipino fishermen came into a maritime tragedy and survived, the Philippine government remained neutral and made their own citizens feel like they were in the wrong.
The hushed cries of the citizens can still be heard; the underlying dilemma of the powerless remain trapped beneath the surface. Our duty to our fellow countrymen has never been more clear. It is time we stand up for them because our government left them sinking in betrayal.
