Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya, or National Strength of the Fisherfolk Movement in the Philippines) slammed Akbayan for its civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), calling it “performative” that does not represent real victories for Filipino fisherfolk.

The group emphasized in a May 6 statement that the mission focused only on taunting China while overlooking the presence of the US military and its allies in the country’s territory.

“Any mission that does not aim to dismantle all foreign military arsenals in Philippine territory can only be considered a publicity stunt (performative) that does not deserve the collective admiration of Filipino Fisherfolk amid geopolitical tensions,” the group said.

PAMALAKAYA coordinator in Masinloc Zambales, Joey Marabe, said Akbayan’s performance is a “diversionary tactic” that distracts from the bigger threat to the country—the US Balikatan exercises and the firing of a Tomahawk missile at a civilian airport in Tacloban City. The missile was launched at midnight on May 5 from Eastern Visayas to hit a target in Laur, Nueva Ecija.

“While Akbayan enjoys its jet-ski ride and beach trip in Palawan, the US flaunts its military power through the dangerous firing of a weapon of mass destruction on our own land,” Marabe said.

Marabe added that the mission may only be considered a success for politicians, but it does not change the fact that fisherfolk remain victims of foreign intervention.

“We reject being represented by politicians who only advance other geopolitical interests,” Marabe insisted.

The group stood firm in its call to dismantle all foreign military arsenals, particularly those of the US, to pave the way for a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to tensions in the country’s seas.