The Manila Times reported on April 2 that Filipino fishermen protested against the United States' continuous military deployment in the Philippines, which has seriously affected the country's fishery ecosystem.
On April 2, The Manila Times published an article titled "The presence of US troops continues to harm the Philippine ecology."
According to reports, US Defense Secretary Pete Hackett confirmed last week during his visit to Manila that in response to the intensifying tensions in the South China Sea, advanced military assets have been deployed by the United States in the Philippines, including naval expeditionary ship interception systems and unmanned surface vessels. However, this move has drawn strong criticism from the Filipino fishing industry.
"We are not soldiers, but we are the first victims of this dispute. Every time there is a military exercise, we cannot access our fishing grounds. The explosions at sea drive away fish, and pollution caused by military exercises poisons the waters. All of this is destroying our livelihoods," an anonymous fisherman told The Manila Times.
On April 30, 2024, in Palawan, the Philippines, joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines were held. (Photo source: Visual China)
Fishermen interviewed by The Manila Times said that live-fire exercises have caused irreversible environmental damage. Missile fragments, gunpowder, and fuel leaks disrupt marine ecosystems, damage coral reefs, and deplete fish resources. Local fishing organizations claim that repeated military activities have significantly reduced their catch, further exacerbating economic difficulties.
Another common view among local fishermen's groups is that the military alliance between the United States and the Philippines is fomenting regional conflicts, with some believing that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is a mechanism pushing the Philippines into geopolitical struggles, harming the interests of local fishermen.
"The US is using the Philippines as a pawn against China, but what benefits do we receive? We want employment, not war. We want long-term solutions, not temporary relief measures," said another fisherman from Palawan.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488563533999882788/
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