Press Release
June 18, 2019

Statement of Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Philippine govt, Chinese embassy reactions to sinking of boat of 22 Filipino fishers
Team Pilipinas tayo, Team Pilipinong mangingisda: Kiko

Aksidente raw? Hindi raw sinasadya? Maliit na banggaan daw? Hindi raw sadyang binangga at walang-awang iniwanan sa laot gaya ng sinabi ng ating mga kababayang mangingisda?

No matter the many versions of what happened the Chinese embassy issues, the indubitable fact remains: Filipino fishermen were left stranded at sea and could have died if not for the rescue of Vietnamese fishermen.

Bakit mas matimbang ang panig ng dambuhala, ubod ng yaman, at makapangyarihang China kaysa sa maliliit at mahihirap nating mangingisda na kapwa nating mga Pilipino at sa ating AFP, Philippine Navy at DND na kapwa nating mga Pilipino?

Sino na ang aasahan na magtatanggol sa maliliit at mahihirap nating mga kababayan kung ang namumuno mismo ay kampi sa kabila?

Gobyerno ba natin itong naririnig ko o mga kinatawan at ahente ng China?

People, especially neighbors, do not need to be friends to feel compassion and empathy after seeing a group of fishermen helplessly swimming for their life after encountering what the Chinese called an "accident."

The Chinese government claims they have been in talks with Philippine officials several times, yet, the issue appears not to move forward as it continues to deny responsibility for the near-death experience of the Filipino fishermen.

Sadly, we could not sense even a modicum of good faith from the Chinese.

News Latest News Feed