Six Catholic bishops in the Philippines have issued a joint pastoral exhortation condemning China's aggressive intrusions into the South China Sea and urging the protection of Filipino fisherfolk.
The declaration, a testament to the weight carried by the Catholic Church in the heavily Catholic nation, underscores the urgent need for action to safeguard the livelihoods and well-being of local fishermen.
Bishops Stand in Solidarity with Fisherfolk
A Catholic mass is held onboard a Filipino ship on a resupply mission to the communities and Filipino military personnel stationed in the Spratlys, on December 10, 2023, in Palawan, Philippines. Escorted by Philippine Coast Guard ships, civil society and fishing community gathered in El Nido town to embark on a civilian-led resupply and gift mission to residents and military personnel stationed in the far flung islands in the contested area of the Spratlys group of islands as Christmas nears. The mission was cut short as China navy and coast guard ships present in the area prompted the captain of the Filipino supply boat to turn back, against the assurance of the Philippine Coast Guard to push through.
The bishops, representing areas with significant artisanal fishing industries, voiced their concerns in a letter that emphasized the profound impact of the South China Sea dispute on the lives and futures of Filipino fishermen.
They unequivocally stood in solidarity with the fishing communities under their pastoral care, amplifying their fears, anxieties, and challenges in the face of Chinese encroachments.
"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," the letter read.
Notably, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, a prominent figure within the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, joined the joint pastoral exhortation.
The letter emphasized the urgent need for the government to uphold the rights of Filipino fisherfolk and defend the nation's sovereignty against external threats.
The focal point of their condemnation lies in the routine interactions between Chinese "gray zone" forces and Philippine fishermen within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ). These encounters often escalate into physical confrontations, particularly at Scarborough Shoal, a longstanding flashpoint off Luzon.
In their letter, the bishops condemned the Philippine government's policy of appeasement towards Chinese aggressors, emphasizing the moral imperative to defend the rights of Filipino fisherfolk enshrined in international law.
They highlighted the rampant destruction caused by Chinese illegal fishing vessels to coral reefs, marine sanctuaries, and the habitats of various marine species, echoing findings from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague.
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Bishops Advocate for Peaceful Resolution
While advocating for peace, the bishops also underscored the necessity of exhausting all legal avenues to assert Philippine sovereignty over its maritime territories.
"We seek peace, and it cannot be a moral option to wage war," they said.
They urged the government to explore diplomatic solutions but hinted at the possibility of seeking assistance from allies if diplomatic efforts proved inadequate.
"[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," the letter read.
The bishops' appeal for action comes amidst China's contentious "nine-dash line" policy, which lays claim to vast swathes of the South China Sea, including areas within the EEZs of neighboring countries.
Despite the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating China's claims, China has continued its aggressive expansion and militarization efforts in the region.
Related Article: China's Current Map of the South China Sea Rejected by Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia
