Filipino fishermen have been the subject of harassment and intimidation by the Chinese since the dispute over the West Philippine Sea erupted. This bullying by the Chinese should stop. Now that President Duterte has established a sort of cordial relations and is now in good terms with the Chinese government, he should ask Beijing to stop driving Filipino fishermen from their traditional fishing grounds in the West Philippine Sea, a sub-issue in our country's territorial dispute with China, We urge the President to use his newfound friendship with the Chinese for the benefit of our impoverished fishermen, whose livelihood was the first "casualty" in our dispute with China. President Duterte is now in a position to table the dispute with China and negotiate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in a manner that will affirm Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Hicap, F. (2016, October 5). Rody's 'friendship'—and PH's territorial row—with China. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A15.