Maniquiz questions P319M China-linked funds amid Zambales fishers’ woes

MANILA, Philippines — Fishing families in Zambales who are struggling with dwindling catches and restricted access to Bajo de Masinloc deserve an explanation of the P319 million in China-linked remittances received by CALE88 Foods Corp., a company associated with Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, Zambales Rep. Doris Maniquiz said.

Maniquiz raised the issue as she described the impact of the difficulties faced by fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc on their livelihoods and families. Some fishermen who once earned P5,000 a week now make only P200 to P300, she said.

“It’s really saddening. We are struggling here, and then we hear that there is P319 million. We just want an explanation of what that money is for. If it is meant for Bajo de Masinloc, we hope that is not the case,” Maniquiz said.

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Anti-Money Laundering Council records presented during the impeachment trial showed that CALE88 Foods Corp. received about P319.33 million in inward remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong. The records did not establish that the Chinese government itself sent the money.

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The issue has resonated in Zambales, where Filipino fishermen continue to report difficulties reaching traditional fishing grounds around Bajo de Masinloc amid the sustained presence and activities of the China Coast Guard.

“Now, Filipino fishing boats can no longer enter the area. The China Coast Guard is guarding it. Even near what they call the entrance, there are Chinese Coast Guard vessels. And about 100 meters from the entrance, the Coast Guard is still standing guard. So, who does the area really belong to?” Maniquiz said.

She recalled that fishermen once could fill a mother vessel after just a day of fishing inside the shoal. Now, many have to travel farther and stay at sea considerably longer without any assurance of a sufficient catch.

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“Now, our fishermen are really struggling and have to go to all sorts of places to fish. Sometimes, they spend a week at sea, but when they return, they still have nothing to show for it. Their situation is truly heartbreaking,” Maniquiz said.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have continued missions to support Filipino fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc, including through fuel assistance, despite encounters with Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the area.

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Maniquiz said the livelihood crisis had also separated families. She cited the case of a former fishermen’s leader in Santa Cruz who moved to Pangasinan and entrusted two of his children to siblings in the Visayas after the family lost its previous source of income.

“When we talk about livelihoods, it is truly painful to lose your source of income. The impact is felt not only by the fishermen themselves but also by their families,” Maniquiz said.

“It hurts because I am a mother myself. As they say, the father just has to earn a living, and the mother takes care of everything else. So now, how can a mother manage the household when there is no catch to bring home?” she added.

Maniquiz said the amount of the foreign remittances was particularly difficult for affected communities to ignore given the sharp decline in fishermen’s earnings.

“Right? And P319 million is no small amount. That is a huge sum, especially for fishermen who used to earn P5,000 a week. Now, they are lucky if they make P200 or P300. The situation has really changed,” Maniquiz said.

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She also sought the help of Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun in bringing the concerns of Zambales fishermen before the House of Representatives and other national government officials.

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“What happened to the P319 million? What was it for? Is that it? Are we just going to let things remain this way? Do we really no longer have the right to fish at Bajo de Masinloc?” Maniquiz asked.