OLONGAPO CITY: China’s adamant stand to maintain hundreds of its fishing vessels in the West Philippine Sea is no longer just about dispute in territory, but is a food security issue for Filipino fishermen, a think tank and government watchdog and an environment advocate say.

In a joint statement, Pinoy Aksyon for Governance and the Environment (Pinoy Aksyon) and Homonhon Rescuers Environment Organization (HERO) said, “We remind the government, particularly the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to do everything to fulfill its mandate to limit access to the fishery and aquatic resources of the Philippines for the exclusive use and enjoyment of Filipino citizens, quoting Republic Act 8550 or the ‘Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.’”