A party-list solon has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an inquiry into reported foreign structures and vessels in Bajo de Masinloc, amid growing concerns over maritime security, sovereign rights, and the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk.
Through House Resolution No. 1122, the measure urged the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate reports of a foreign floating platform and the continued presence of foreign vessels in the area, which lies within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea.
Pinoy Workers Party-list Rep. Karl Fernandez Legazpi stressed that discussions on the West Philippine Sea should not be limited to territorial and security issues, but must also account for the direct economic impact on coastal communities that depend on fishing for survival.
“The West Philippine Sea is more than a matter of maritime security and territorial rights,” he said, noting that thousands of Filipino fisherfolk rely on its waters for their daily livelihood.
He warned that any restriction or disruption in access to traditional fishing grounds places immediate pressure on families who depend on marine resources for food and income.
Bajo de Masinloc, he added, remains a vital fishing area and an important source of economic activity for coastal provinces, making its protection both a sovereignty and livelihood concern.
While acknowledging the role of diplomacy and national security in addressing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Legazpi said the real-world effects on ordinary Filipinos must remain central in policy discussions.
“We often discuss the West Philippine Sea in terms of sovereignty, diplomacy, and national security… but for many Filipinos, especially our fisherfolk, this is also a livelihood issue,” he said.
The lawmaker said the proposed inquiry aims to assess whether existing government policies and response mechanisms are sufficient to safeguard Filipino fishermen and assert the country’s maritime rights.
“We must determine whether our current policies and response mechanisms are sufficient to protect our fisherfolk, defend our maritime rights, and ensure that our fisherfolk are not left vulnerable,” he added.
Legazpi also called on the public to remain vigilant, emphasizing that developments in the West Philippine Sea have long-term implications beyond geopolitics, affecting food security, employment, and future generations.