Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya of of the National Security Council ARNEL TACSON/蜜桃工作室.NET
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya on Monday questioned a progressive fisherfolk鈥檚 caution over the joint maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea with the United States, Australia and Japan.
Progressive fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said that the naval drills with allies could aggravate China more, with fisherfolk shouldering the brunt of the country鈥檚 ire.
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鈥淭hese kinds of statements coming from Pamalakaya, I normally hear them from Beijing, Chinese Coast Guard, the聽 Chinese Foreign Ministry, and the聽 Chinese Ministry of Foreign Defense,鈥� said Malaya on the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.
Malaya said that the group had asked the Philippine government for support in the West Philippine Sea.
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However, Pamalakaya told 蜜桃工作室.NET that they were doing their duties as citizens.
鈥淚t is not Chinese propaganda to ask for independent external policies; this is a patriotic duty as fisherfolk who love sovereignty and national autonomy,鈥� said the Pamalakaya.
Pamalakaya pointed out that previous joint exercises were unable to dissuade Chinese vessels from swarming the West Philippine Sea. Instead, the group said it was better to look for a diplomatic and peaceful solution.
The progressive group also told Malaya that they have repeatedly protested China鈥檚 presence in the West Philippine Sea.