Duterte Can Face Impeach Raps Over Allowing Chinese Fishers In PH Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
DUTERTE – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte could be impeached for allowing Chinese fishers in the Philippine EEZ.
Previously, President Rodrigo Duterte said he will allow the Chinese fishermen to fish in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
“’Will you allow the Chinese to fish?’ Of course. That’s what we talked about before, why we continue talks with them. That’s why we were allowed to fish again. It was a mutual agreement. Let’s give away to each other. You fish here, I fish here,” he said.
In a previous article, Senator Leila De Lima reacted on the statements of President Duterte. She said the president just committed an impeachable offense.
“Palpably shows a pattern of an open and brazen disregard of the rule of law and betrayal of the national interest.”
“We have here clear grounds for impeachment: culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, and betrayal of public trust,” said De Lima.
Based on a report from ABS-CBN, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio was also alarmed by the president’s statement. He cited Article 12, Section 2 of the Philippine Constitution.
“The States shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”
According to the report, the former Philippine Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario gave remarks on Duterte’s statements.
“Since it’s exclusive, you can’t allow other countries to fish in these areas which are severed by the exclusive economic zone without the consent of the people,” said Morales.
Del Rosario said the President can be impeached for that remark since the Constitution mandates him to protect the Philippine territory.
“The Constitution states that the President and the military must secure the national territory. And the national territory includes the exclusive economic zone. To violate that is really basis for impeachment of the President,” Del Rosario said.
Based on the report, Defense Analyst Jose Antonio Custodio explained the risks of President Duterte’s decision to let Chinese fishermen fish in Philippine’s exclusive economic zone.
“That is a matter of national survival. This country is a maritime country and its people depend on the fish there and that is why we are entitled to the resources in that area…”
“China now knows that the Philippine government will not stand up for its own fishermen. And that sends a chilling signal to Filipino fishermen,” he added.
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