Solicitor General Jose Calida has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the petition of fishermen seeking to compel the government to protect disputed shoals in the West Philippine Sea where Chinese fishermen have reportedly been harvesting marine resources. Calida argued that the petition filed by a group of fishermen from Palawan and Zambales last April for the issuance of a writ of kalikasan and writ of continuing mandamus ordering the government to protect, preserve and rehabilitate the environment in Panatag Shoal, Ayungin Shoal and Panganiban Reef should be junked for lack of merit. In a 30-page verified return of writ obtained by The STAR, Calida told the SC that there is no need to compel the government as sought in the petition because it has been performing its duties to protect the environment in the West Philippine Sea.

Punay, E. (2019, July 2). Calida seeks dismissal of kalikasan petition on WPS. The Philippine Star, p. 4.