Manila maintains its stance to refuse supporting any fisheries subsidies deal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) that excludes a provision on “illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, or IUUF, infringements” in disputed waters. The Philippines had earlier proposed a new mechanism that would allow WTO member-countries to determine IUUF infringements in waters being claimed by two or more nations. But several countries, including China, which claims jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea, opposed the proposal. Beijing argues that IUUF determination in disputed waters is not within the purview of the WTO.

Arcalas, J. E. Y. (2020, November 27). PHL won't accept WTO fisheries deal without an 'IUUF' provision. Business Mirror, p. A12.