Gov't officials sued at Supreme Court for 'neglect' of West PHL Sea

A group of Palawan fishermen and farmers on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to order the government to enforce environmental laws in the Philippines' waters and exclusive economic zone.

In a newly-filed petition, the Kalayaan Palawan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association urged the High Court to direct the Duterte administration to permanently stop from "neglecting the performance of their duties in violation of environmental laws" through the issuance of a writ of kalikasan.

A writ of kalikasan is a remedy available to persons or groups whose right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated or threatened with violation.

Represented by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the organization also wants the government ordered to protect, preserve, rehabilitate or restore the environment in Panatag Shoal, Ayungin Shoal, and Panganiban Reef.

They also sought the issuance of a writ of continuing mandamus requiring the government to perform acts mandated upon them by Philippine environmental laws.

Citing evidence submitted by the government to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the international arbitral court that ruled for the Philippines in 2016, the group alleged that Chinese fishermen and vessels have harvested endangered species and used cyanide and dynamite in Panatag and Ayungin Shoals, violating the Philippine Fisheries Code.

They also assailed Chinese construction activities in Panganiban Reef.

The environmental damage, they said, covers Masinloc, Zambales and Kalayaan, Palawan.

"The marine environment and resources in the abovementioned areas were damaged severely and extensively in spite of adequate Philippine laws to protect them," the petition stated.

"Clearly, the damage is brought upon by lack of enforcement of Philippine environment laws by respondents," it added.

Named respondents in the petition were the leaders of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, the PNP Maritime Group, and the Department of Justice.

The IBP itself is a petitioner in the case. Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, an opposition senatorial candidate, is also behind the case.

Former top diplomat Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales earlier accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court over Beijing's activities to gain control of most of the South China Sea. —KG, GMA News