FIVE Catholic dioceses covering areas near the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea yesterday called for stronger action from authorities over the persistent aggressive incursions of the Chinese into the country’s maritime area, saying words have proven to be futile efforts.
In a Joint Pastoral Exhortation, the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, the Dioceses of Iba and San Fernando de La Union, and the Apostolic Vicariates of Puerto Princesa and Taytay asked the government as well as other stakeholders to take more concrete actions to defend the country’s rights over the West Philippine Sea and its resources.
“We gratefully acknowledge statements of resoluteness about defending the resources God, in his munificence, has made available to us through the sea, but words are not enough,” said the dioceses.
“All legal means must be exhausted so that what nature has so bountifully bestowed on us may be ours and may feed generations of Filipinos yet to be born and, if present diplomatic endeavors do not suffice, then it is permissible – morally necessary even – to have recourse to the friendship of allies, who can help us defend what is ours,” they added.
The prelates of the five dioceses, however, immediately clarified they are not looking for war or any act of hostility.
“We seek peace, and it cannot be a moral option to wage war,” they said.
The bishops said they are issuing the call as they are growing concerned over the adverse effects of the Chinese aggression towards the Filipinos, particularly the fisherfolk.
Chinese vessels have been harassing and bullying Philippine Coast Guard vessels and small boats used for resupply missions in the WPS. Recently, the Chinese told Filipino fishermen to return their catch to the sea.
The bishops said what makes the situation worse are previous government efforts to pacify China which is claiming the entire South China Sea.
“A policy of appeasing the Chinese aggressors is worsening the situation of our poor fisher folk. This same policy of appeasing the aggressors has also emboldened them to make tall tale claims,” said the dioceses.
“It has only emboldened it, as it makes more inroads into our marine sanctuaries and maritime zones, displacing our own fisherfolk from fishing grounds from which they have traditionally harvested the wealth that the sea then had to offer,” they added.
The bishops assured the affected communities of their continued support and efforts to help them in their plight.
“The Church stands with them, and, as shepherd from various ecclesiastical jurisdictions with fisherfolk within our pastoral care, we stand with them and we, bishops, give voice to their fears and anxieties, their woes, and their concerns,” said the bishops.
Just last week, the Chinese Coast Guard reiterated it has indisputable sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal and its adjacent waters in the West Philippine Sea.
