I’VE spoken with Filipino fisherfolk who’ve braved the choppy waters of the West Philippine Sea for generations. Their weathered faces tell stories of resilience but their voices now carry a deeper concern: survival.
The sea they’ve called home is no longer a sanctuary, it’s a battlefield and they’re caught in the crossfire of a geopolitical tug-of-war between two giants.
Militarization has cast a long shadow over these waters.
What was once a vital fishing ground has been transformed into a staging area for power plays with foreign militaries conducting exercises; joint patrols crisscrossing the sea.
For fisherfolk who live by the rhythm of the tides, these maneuvers are more than abstractions of strategy. They mean disruption, danger, and dwindling livelihoods.
Imagine waking up before dawn with nets and hopes in hand, only to find out your traditional fishing grounds are now off-limits because they’ve been declared a ‘no-sail zone.’
This is the grim reality for many Filipino fisherfolk, especially in Zambales, Palawan and other coastal provinces.
The timing is cruel: these zones often coincide with peak fishing seasons, cutting off access to the most bountiful waters.
Safety is now a constant worry as fishermen do venture out, they face harassment—blocked paths, confiscated catch, and even threats to their lives.
The growing US military footprint has been followed by more Chinese Coast Guard patrols, and participants are increasing their power projections.
It’s infuriating how little attention this plight receives in the halls of power. While the government cozies up to foreign allies, those at the bottom are left to fend for themselves.
The so-called ’Pivot to the US’ has only intensified the crisis. Military bases, live-fire drills, and joint exercises may reinforce geopolitical alliances, but they’ve exacted a steep toll on the lives of 1.5 million fisherfolk.
This isn’t just about lost income; it’s about a growing sense of despair.
And let’s not forget the environmental cost: the US military dropping bombs and increased patrols damage the very breeding grounds these communities rely on.
Diplomacy, not military posturing, is the way forward. The Philippines can neither afford to alienate China, its largest trading partner, nor blindly follow the lead of the US.
Our leaders must prioritize the welfare of their people over the theatrics of geopolitics.
If this government cannot shield its own people from the fallout of these tensions, then who will?
