Fisherfolk and the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) denounced the imposition of a 2-day “no-sail zone” in the town of Aparri, Cagayan for the upcoming Counter Landing Live Fire, which is part of the Balikatan war games, from May 3 to 4. Fisherfolk said the ban is a disruption causing loss of income and food for their families.

Local government data shows that the ban will affect up to 15,000 registered fisherfolk.

“Two days without fishing is already a heavy burden for fisherfolk whose livelihood comes only from the sea. They are already extremely worried now about how to feed their families when fishing will be prohibited,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said.

Pamalakaya also learned that the local government will not provide compensation to those affected. “It is unjust for fisherfolk to be the ones sacrificing just to give way for Balikatan which has zero relevance for ordinary Filipinos,” Hicap added.

Soldiers from the Philippines and the US started the Balikatan war games in Barangay Dodan, Aparri on April 28, which will last until May 4.

At the start of the war games, the US and the Philippines paraded their weapons of war, including armored security vehicles, light tanks, and truck-mounted howitzers, on the main roads of Aparri, causing significant anxiety among residents. A resident shared a video of the military vehicles and added a call saying “no to war.”

Previously, the Zambales local government also implemented a “no-sail zone” from April 25 to April 27 in the towns of San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, and Subic. This caused losses for the fisherfolk and those who depend on going out to sea for their livelihood.