Realign NTF-ELCAC budget to support Filipino fishermen in WPS and Panatag

I propose that the P19.2 billion budget of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELcac) be directed to provide support to Filipino fishermen, whose livelihood is threatened by the prospect of lower catch or inability to go to their traditional fishing grounds due to illegal incursion of Chinese militia ships in the Panatag Shoal and the West Philippine Sea.

The government can provide them with better, bigger, and more modern boats and communication systems, as well as security escorts, to enable them to fish in peace. This move will achieve three objectives: boost the country’s food security, reduce unemployment, and advance the original objective of the NTF-Elcac, which is to contain communist infiltration. The effort this time is not directed against fellow Filipinos, but against communist aggression from outside.

This proposal is addressed to Senators Panfilo Lacson and Franklin Drilon, and the congressmen whose constituents are directly affected by the illegal Chinese intrusions in Panatag Shoal and the West Philippines Sea, namely: Representatives Jeffrey D. Khonghun and Cheryl

Deloso-Montalla of Zambales; Franz Alvarez, Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar, and Gil Acosta of Palawan; John Reynald Tiangco of Navotas, and Josephine Ramirez-Sato, Doy Leachon, and Alfonso Umali Jr. of the two Mindoro provinces.

Tomas Vargas, [email protected]