From Marihangin to Pag-asa: Fisherfolk Solidarity in the West Philippine Sea

PAKISAMA, as a member of the Atin Ito Coalition Convenors Group, expresses its full solidarity with the 4th Atin Ito Civilian Mission to the West Philippine Sea—an important demonstration of how ordinary Filipinos can peacefully assert their rights.

A key highlight of the mission is the strong representation of grassroots fisherfolk and coastal communities.

The PAKISAMA delegation was composed of nine members, including its President and National Coordinator. Seven of these delegates come from the SAMBILOG–Balik Bugsuk Movement in Balabac, Palawan, a frontline community defending its ancestral lands and waters.

They were joined by four other fisher leaders from Zambales, and two others from a Palawan fisherfolk organization, bringing the total to 15 fisher representatives—voices directly coming from communities whose lives are tied to the West Philippine Sea.

Their presence is a clear expression of solidarity in action.

“The struggle to defend our seas is inseparable from the struggle to defend our land”, said Randy Cirio, President of PAKISAMA.

For these communities, the West Philippine Sea is not a distant geopolitical issue. It is a source of food, livelihood, and identity. Their participation underscores a growing unity among coastal and island communities across the country.

“Nais naming ipakita ang aming pakikiisa sa mga residente lalo na sa mga mangingisda ng Isla Pag-asa, ng pangangailangang manindigan at magkaisa. Tanging ito ang anging gabay namin sa patuloy na pgdepensa ng aming isla laban sa mga nang- aagaw nito,” said Angelica Naseron, young leader of Sambilog Balik Bugsuk Movement.

(We want to express our solidarity with the residents—especially to the fisherfolks of Pag-asa Island, in our shared need and advocacy to stand firm and remain united. This unity is our only guide as we continue to defend our island against those who seek to take it from us)

An estimated more than 200,000 fisher families depend on the West Philippine Sea, across dozens of coastal municipalities in the provinces of Zambales, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Pangasinan, and Batangas. Their future is directly linked to continued access to these waters.

The mission highlights key realities:

· Small-scale fishers depend on these waters for survival

· Food security is tied to secure access to our seas

· Peaceful civilian action is a legitimate expression of sovereign rights

PAKISAMA also calls for consistency in implementing government policies to protect not only our national territory but also the territories of indigenous peoples, small farmers, and fishers.

Many of these communities—including those in the SAMBILOG–Balik Bugsuk Movement—have long been victims of large-scale land and resource grabbing by powerful domestic corporations, often enabled by networks within government agencies that weaken or circumvent existing laws.
This undermines key legislations such as the CARPER, the Fisheries Code, and the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA)—just as international rules such as the 2016 Arbitral Ruling and UNCLOS continue to be disregarded in the West Philippine Sea.

Respect for law—whether national or international—must be consistent, principled, and enforced.

PAKISAMA joins the call for:

· All Filipinos—to stand in solidarity with coastal and island communities and support peaceful civilian initiatives asserting our rights;

· The Government—to ensure sustained protection and support for civilian missions and to provide comprehensive support to frontline defenders—especially the more than 200,000 fisher families dependent on the West Philippine Sea, including livelihood, social protection, and secure access to fishing grounds;

· The International Community—to recognize and support civilian-led, nonviolent efforts to uphold international law and protect vulnerable communities.

As the voices from Marihangin now reach Pag-asa and beyond, we are reminded:

This is not only about territory.

This is about life, livelihood, and dignity.

Walang imposible kung maninindigan at magkakaisa lamang.

For land and sea,

For people and future.