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Michael Punongbayan - The Philippine Star
March 21, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — At least two senators and seven members of the House of Representatives are scheduled to attend a dialogue with fisherfolk, frontliners, local government leaders and students on pressing issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Monday.
Lawmakers expected to attend include Senators Erwin Tulfo and Francis Pangilinan (by remote), Malabon Rep. Antolin Aquino Oreta, Puerto Princesa 3rd District Rep. Gil Acosta, Bukidnon First District Rep. Jose Manuel Alba, Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula and Pinoy Workers Rep. Franz Legaspi.
The senators and congressmen from both majority and minority groups of Congress have pledged to participate in the “Pulong Bayan” organized by the Atin Ito Coalition, an umbrella organization of various civil-society groups behind three historic civilian supply missions to the WPS.
Organizers, who are planning a fourth civilian mission to the WPS next month, said the day-long dialogue aims to provide a meaningful platform for multisectoral discussions on national sovereignty, livelihoods and regional security.
“We are very encouraged by our lawmakers’ show of unity and solidarity in crossing party lines to support the cause of the West Philippine Sea,” Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David said.
Other participating officials are from the municipality of Kalayaan, collectively known as the “Kalayaan 16,” along with Puerto Princesa local government officials, leaders of various fisherfolk groups and student organizations and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy.
China drives away Pinoy fishers
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Manila yesterday admitted driving Filipino fishermen from the vicinity of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc on March 17
The embassy’s deputy spokesman Wei Guo again referred to the area as Chinese territorial water.
He said China Coast Guard (CCG) ships patrolling the vicinity of Panatag Shoal – which China calls Huangyan Dao – spotted eight Philippine fishing boats entering the area’s territorial waters and heading toward the island.
Wei said the CCG “lawfully implemented traffic control measures on the vessels in question, dispatched law enforcement boats to conduct inquiries and collect evidence and prepared to board the vessels for inspection.”
“After the Chinese law enforcement boats approached and made inquiries, the Filipino fishing vessels did not respond and turned around to exit China’s territorial waters at a point approximately six nautical miles from Huangyan Dao. The overall situation on-site was calm,” he said.
Wei said a video of the incident showed how CCG ships supposedly “carried out their patrol and law enforcement in a professional and restrained manner the whole time, keeping a safe distance and a steady course.”
Wei’s latest statement again contradicts the 2016 Arbitral Award which rejected China’s nine- or 10-dash line claiming it owns almost the entire SCS.
The ruling recognized the territorial waters of the Philippines and its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in accordance with international law.
In a belated report released to media only yesterday, a Chinese warship scanned and directed its fire control radar at a Philippine Navy frigate patrolling the WPS earlier this month.
The incident happened on March 7 in the vicinity of the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal when the BRP Miguel Malvar was conducting a maritime and sovereignty patrol inside the country’s EEZ.
“This was an alarming and provocative action that created unnecessary risk and could have led to misinterpretation and misunderstanding at sea,” Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said.
7th Fleet commander
Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan welcomed the US Navy’s 7th Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Patrick Hannifin during his courtesy call at the PCG national headquarters in Port Area, Manila on Thursday.
Hannifin is the first US Navy Fleet commander to visit the PCG, marking a significant milestone in the growing cooperation between the two maritime forces.
Hannifin was received by PCG Deputy Commandant for operations Vice Admiral Edgar Ybañez.
The visit forms part of Hannifin’s official trip to the Philippines from March 17 to 19, aimed at engaging key maritime counterparts to reaffirm and further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, Gavan and Hannifin emphasized the importance of sustained engagement between the PCG and the US Navy. — Ghio Ong, Bella Cariaso, Gerry Lee Gorit
